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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Published on: September 11, 2019

Modular control of mediolateral postural sway.

D Torricelli¹, M Aleixandre, I M Alguacil Diego

¹Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain. diego.torricelli@csic.es

Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference

|February 1, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study investigated modular organization in voluntary motor control of rhythmic sway. Findings suggest consistent muscle synergies underlie mediolateral movements in healthy individuals, aiding neurological rehabilitation.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biomechanics
Motor Control

Background:

Understanding voluntary motor control is crucial for diagnosing and rehabilitating neurological impairments.
Mediolateral rhythmic sway involves complex muscle coordination.
The concept of modular organization in motor control suggests that complex movements are controlled by activating predefined sets of muscles (synergies).

Purpose of the Study:

To determine if voluntary motor control of mediolateral rhythmic sway is governed by modular organization.
To investigate the influence of movement speed on muscle synergy composition and activation patterns.
To provide evidence supporting consistent modular control principles in healthy subjects.

Main Methods:

Utilized superficial electromyography (EMG) to record muscle activity.
Employed computerized dynamic posturography to assess postural control.
Tested six healthy subjects performing mediolateral postural movements at three different frequencies.

Main Results:

Two muscle synergies explained over 75% of the EMG variance across all subjects and conditions.
These dominant synergies were consistently shared among all participants.
Movement frequency did not significantly alter the fundamental composition of the identified muscle synergies.

Conclusions:

The findings strongly support the existence of a consistent modular organization in voluntary mediolateral rhythmic sway.
The identified muscle synergies represent fundamental building blocks for controlling postural movements.
This modular control framework has significant implications for understanding neurological disorders and developing targeted rehabilitation strategies.