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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Published on: September 11, 2019

Initial electro-mechanical response to rearward perturbation.

Nitin Moholkar¹, Venkata K Gade, Jerome Allen

¹Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Center, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA.

|March 3, 2009

Summary

Maintaining balance on a moving platform requires more than just muscle reflexes. Active muscle control is essential to adjust ankle moments and synchronize with motion, preventing falls.

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Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Published on: September 11, 2019

An Instrumented Pull Test to Characterize Postural Responses

An Instrumented Pull Test to Characterize Postural Responses

Published on: April 6, 2019

A Modified Lean and Release Technique to Emphasize Response Inhibition and Action Selection in Reactive Balance

A Modified Lean and Release Technique to Emphasize Response Inhibition and Action Selection in Reactive Balance

Published on: March 19, 2020

Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Neuroscience
Human Movement Science

Background:

Postural control is crucial for maintaining balance during dynamic activities.
Understanding the interplay between muscle properties, reflexes, and active responses is key to explaining balance maintenance.
Previous research has not fully delineated the contributions of preset muscle properties, reflex changes, and active adjustments to postural responses.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the combined electromyographic (EMG) and mechanical responses to a rearward perturbation.
To differentiate the postural response into preset muscle properties, reflex changes, and active muscle adjustments.
To test the hypothesis that an active response is necessary for balance maintenance on an oscillating platform.

Main Methods:

Eleven healthy adults stood on a platform oscillating at 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 Hz.
Ankle extensor electromyographic (EMG) activity and ankle moment were recorded and analyzed.
The timing of events in EMG and moment data was used to categorize response components.

Main Results:

An initial increase in ankle moment preceded a faster reflex-mediated rise.
A subsequent active response was observed after a brief drop in ankle moment.
By the third oscillation cycle, EMG and ankle moment synchronized with platform movement, stabilizing posture.

Conclusions:

Preset muscle properties and reflex activity alone are insufficient for maintaining balance on a moving platform.
Active muscular control is required to adjust ankle moment timing and prevent loss of balance.
Findings offer insights for the rehabilitation of individuals with postural control deficits.