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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Published on: September 11, 2019

Static and dynamic visual cues in feed-forward postural control.

Sambit Mohapatra¹, Alexander S Aruin

¹Department of Physical Therapy (MC 898), University of Illinois at Chicago, 1919 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA.

Experimental Brain Research

|October 16, 2012

Summary

Dynamic visual cues significantly enhance anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) for maintaining balance. Without visual information, APAs are not observed, highlighting vision's crucial role in postural control.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biomechanics
Human Motor Control

Background:

Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) are crucial for maintaining vertical posture during activities.
The influence of varying visual information on APA generation remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of different visual cues on the generation of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs).

Main Methods:

Ten healthy young subjects stood while experiencing shoulder-level perturbations.
Visual conditions included dynamic cues (full vision, high-frequency strobe), static cues (low-frequency strobe), and no cues (eyes open in dark).
Muscle electrical activity and center of pressure displacements were recorded to quantify APAs.

Main Results:

Significantly larger APAs were observed with dynamic visual cues compared to static cues (p < 0.05).
No APAs were detected in the absence of visual cues.
Principal component analysis indicated distinct muscle coupling patterns under full vision and high-frequency strobe conditions.

Conclusions:

Dynamic visual information is important for generating robust anticipatory postural adjustments.
The absence of visual cues eliminates APA generation.
Visual cue selection influences muscle activation patterns during postural control.