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State-dependent corrective reactions for backward balance losses during human walking
Takahiro Kagawa1, Yu Ohta, Yoji Uno
1Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan. kagawa@nuem.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Human Movement Science
|June 28, 2011
Summary
Corrective reactions to backward balance loss depend on body movement direction after a perturbation. Stronger disturbances trigger bilateral responses, while weaker ones elicit unilateral reactions, showing state-dependent control.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human motor control
- Gait analysis
Background:
- Backward balance loss during walking is a critical issue.
- Previous research linked body center of mass (COM) position and velocity to falling.
- The influence of post-perturbation body motion on corrective strategies was unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate corrective reactions to backward balance loss during walking.
- To test the hypothesis that corrective reactions depend on forward or backward body motion post-perturbation.
- To analyze the role of center of mass (COM) state at toe-off in modulating gait adjustments.
Main Methods:
- Inducing backward balance loss using a split-belt treadmill with varying belt speeds.
- Measuring kinematic data and surface electromyography (EMG) during corrective responses.
- Analyzing center of mass (COM) trajectories using phase portrait analysis.
Main Results:
- Perturbations decreased backward balance stability.
- Stronger perturbations (1.0 km/h) led to lower COM states at toe-off, rapid foot touchdown, and phase advancement.
- Weaker perturbations resulted in anterior swing foot placement, phase delay, and unilateral EMG responses, contrasting with bilateral responses for stronger perturbations.
Conclusions:
- Corrective reactions for backward balance loss are both phase-dependent and state-dependent.
- The human motor control system predicts forward progression feasibility.
- Swing movements and walking rhythm are modulated based on backward balance stability and COM state at toe-off.
