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Does outstretching the arms improve postural stability?

Mitesh Patel¹, David Buckwell¹, Malcolm Hawken²

¹Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital, London W6 8RF UK.

Neuroscience Letters

|July 20, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Outstretching arms improves balance on narrow beams, especially with eyes closed. This finding enhances understanding of postural control mechanisms and balance strategies in challenging environments.

Keywords:

Arms outstretched Balance Narrow beam Postural control Tandem stance

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Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Human motor control
Neuroscience

Background:

Postural stability is crucial for daily activities.
The role of arm positioning in balance control is not fully understood.
Challenging surfaces, like narrow beams, require enhanced postural adjustments.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if lateral arm stretching enhances postural control during tandem stance on a narrow beam.
To quantify the effects of arm position on head and body sway.
To determine if visual input modulates the effect of arm posture on stability.

Main Methods:

Twelve healthy participants performed a 30-second tandem stance on a narrow beam.
Participants maintained two arm positions: outstretched laterally and down to the side.
Postural stability was assessed with eyes open and eyes closed, measuring head movement and lateral forces.

Main Results:

Outstretching arms significantly reduced head movement (RMS, sway path, velocity) with eyes closed.
No significant improvement in postural stability was observed with eyes open.
A similar trend was noted in the power spectra of head motion and lateral forces.

Conclusions:

Lateral arm stretching enhances postural stability in challenging conditions, particularly when visual input is limited (eyes closed).
The findings suggest that arm posture influences balance through changes in segmental inertia and the capacity for corrective movements.
This research provides insights into balance strategies and potential interventions for individuals with impaired postural control.