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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
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Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
Effects of experience in a dynamic environment on postural control
D W Chapman1, K J Needham, G T Allison
1D W Chapman, Physiology Department, Australian Institute of Sport, PO Box 176 Belconnen, Canberra, ACT 2616, Australia. dale.chapman@ausport.gov.au
British Journal of Sports Medicine
|May 15, 2007
Summary
Surfing expertise may not alter standard balance control but can reveal differences in cognitive-motor task performance. Expert surfers show distinct balance adjustments when multitasking compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Human Motor Control
Background:
- Surfing is a complex, balance-dependent sport requiring integration of visual, somatosensory, and vestibular sensory information.
- The dynamic environment of surfing necessitates sophisticated postural control adaptations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how surfing experience influences the postural control system.
- To evaluate adaptations in balance control strategies based on skill level in surfers.
Main Methods:
- Assessed postural control in 60 male volunteers (elite surfers, intermediate surfers, controls) using bipedal stance.
- Performed six tasks varying visual input, head position, and cognitive load, measuring sway path length (SPL) and area of ellipse (AoE).
Main Results:
- All participants exhibited increased sway in eyes-closed conditions.
- Expert surfers showed significantly increased SPL, but not AoE, when performing concurrent mental tasks compared to controls.
- Controls demonstrated minimal, non-significant changes in postural control under cognitive load.
Conclusions:
- Standard postural sway measures may not fully capture surfing-related adaptations in postural control.
- Differences in balance abilities between expert surfers and controls are evident during concurrent mental tasks, suggesting cognitive-motor interaction effects.
