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Related Experiment Videos

Variability in a dynamic postural task attests ample flexibility in balance control mechanisms.

Marco Schieppati1, Andrea Giordano, Antonio Nardone

  • 1Institute of Human Physiology, Univerisity of Pavia, Via Forlanini 6, 27100 Pavia, Italy. mschieppati@fsm.it

Experimental Brain Research
|May 16, 2002
PubMed
Summary
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Human balance control shows significant variability across individuals and conditions. Despite diverse strategies, the body maintains stability, suggesting underlying neural or biomechanical constraints for equilibrium.

Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Human Motor Control
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Upright stance requires coordinated body segment movements to maintain stability.
  • Significant variability exists in human postural control across subjects and conditions.
  • Understanding this variability is crucial for elucidating equilibrium control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantitatively describe inter- and intra-subject variability in body segment kinematics during postural perturbations.
  • To investigate the influence of visual input and perturbation frequency on postural control strategies.
  • To identify potential constraints underlying human equilibrium control.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty healthy subjects stood on a translating platform under eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Platform perturbations involved sinusoidal oscillations at 0.2 and 0.6 Hz with 6 cm amplitude.
  • Marker displacements (lateral malleolus, hip, head) were recorded, and standard deviation (SD) and cross-correlation (CC) were calculated.

    • Main Results:

    • Subjects exhibited distinct strategies based on visual input: head stabilization with EO, head oscillation with EC.
    • Significant variability in head and hip displacements (SD) was observed within and across trials and subjects.
    • Despite variability, stability limits were not breached, and the head-to-hip SD relationship remained consistent across conditions.

    Conclusions:

    • A wide range of dynamic postures can ensure postural stability, rather than a single optimal configuration.
    • The consistent head-to-hip SD relationship suggests underlying neural or biomechanical constraints on equilibrium control.
    • Postural control strategies are adaptable yet constrained, highlighting the complexity of human balance.