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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
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Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
Aging does not affect generalized postural motor learning in response to variable amplitude oscillations of the
Karen Van Ooteghem1, James S Frank, Fran Allard
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. kvanoote@uwaterloo.ca
Experimental Brain Research
|June 15, 2010
Summary
Older adults learn balance tasks generally, not specifically, regardless of training method. This indicates age doesn't affect the type of postural motor learning acquired for balance control.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Gerontology
Background:
- Postural motor learning is established in healthy older adults.
- Understanding the type of knowledge acquired (general vs. specific) is crucial for effective balance training.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate whether balance training yields general or specific knowledge in older adults.
- Determine if embedding regularities in balance tasks masks specific learning.
Main Methods:
- Two groups of older adults trained on a translating platform using either embedded-sequence (ES) or looped-sequence (LS) protocols.
- Performance assessed via center of mass (COM) displacement, COM-platform phase, and trunk motion.
- Learning specificity evaluated through retention and transfer tests.
Main Results:
- Both ES and LS groups showed improved balance performance with practice.
- Improvements included reduced COM displacement, better COM-platform phase relationships, and decreased trunk motion.
- Learning was characterized as general, not specific, for both training protocols.
Conclusions:
- Postural motor learning in older adults is general, irrespective of the training protocol.
- Age does not appear to influence the type of motor learning for balance control.
- Findings align with previous studies on younger adults, suggesting a consistent learning mechanism across age groups.
