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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Published on: September 11, 2019

Postural control of the human mandible.

Timothy S Miles¹

¹Research Centre for Human Movement Control, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. timothy.miles@adelaide.edu.au

Archives of Oral Biology

|January 30, 2007

Summary

The mandible

Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Neuroscience
Physiology

Background:

The resting position of the mandible is crucial for jaw function.
Previous understanding suggested muscle activity primarily determined mandibular posture.
The role of passive forces and reflexes during dynamic activities was unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the mechanisms supporting mandibular posture at rest and during locomotion.
To differentiate the contributions of muscle activity, passive forces, and reflexes.
To understand how jaw posture is maintained during various head and body movements.

Main Methods:

Review of experimental evidence on jaw muscle activity and mandibular movements.
Analysis of electromyography (EMG) of masticatory muscles during standing, walking, and running.

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Last Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

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Assessment of mandibular position relative to the maxilla during dynamic activities.

Main Results:

At rest, passive viscoelastic forces in perioral tissues, not muscle activity, support the mandible.
During walking, gentle head movements are stabilized by passive forces.
During running, stretch reflexes in jaw-closing muscles limit mandibular excursion and restore posture.

Conclusions:

Mandibular rest position is maintained by passive soft tissue forces when the head is stationary.
Active stretch reflexes in jaw-closing muscles play a key role in stabilizing the mandible during vigorous locomotion.
Both passive and active mechanisms ensure jaw posture stability during dynamic head movements.