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Postural adjustments upon arm movement during sinusoidal induced body oscillations
P Gatev1, N Tankov, G Gantchev
1Institute of Physiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia.
Acta Physiologica Et Pharmacologica Bulgarica
|January 1, 1991
Summary
This study investigated postural adjustments during arm elevation with body oscillations. Findings reveal distinct muscle activation strategies based on foot movement direction, indicating adaptive postural control.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human motor control
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Understanding postural control is crucial for preventing falls.
- Fast arm movements can perturb balance, requiring rapid postural adjustments.
- Previous research has explored muscle synergies during postural tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine postural adjustments during fast arm elevation under oscillating body conditions.
- To investigate the timing of muscle onsets (EMG) relative to arm movement.
- To determine if postural strategies differ based on foot flexion/extension direction.
Main Methods:
- Participants performed fast forward right arm elevation during sinusoidal body oscillations.
- Platform-induced dorsal and plantar foot flexion were applied.
- Electromyography (EMG) onset of the anterior deltoid (AD), soleus (S), anterior tibial (AT), and femoral biceps (FB) muscles were recorded.
- Onset times were analyzed relative to the AD EMG onset.
Main Results:
- Femoral biceps (FB) muscle activated significantly before the anterior deltoid (AD) during plantar flexion.
- Anterior tibial (AT) muscle activated significantly before the AD during dorsal flexion.
- The FB muscle showed a delayed onset during dorsal flexion compared to plantar flexion.
Conclusions:
- Two distinct postural adjustment strategies are employed based on platform movement direction.
- These findings highlight the adaptability of the human postural control system.
- Muscle activation timing varies to maintain balance during dynamic tasks.