Understanding Vrikshasana using body mounted sensors: A statistical approach.
Suhas Niranjan Yelluru1, Ranjith Ravindra Shanbhag1, S N Omkar1
1Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
International Journal of Yoga
|February 12, 2016
Summary
This study reveals how hip and ankle muscles stabilize the body during Vrikshasana. Understanding these postural control mechanisms is key for balance and injury prevention in yoga.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Science
- Kinesiology
Background:
- Postural stability is crucial in yoga, particularly for poses like Vrikshasana (Tree Pose).
- Understanding the neuromuscular strategies for maintaining balance during asymmetrical postures is essential for effective practice and injury prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a model for understanding the human body's organization of postural movements during Vrikshasana.
- To investigate the specific roles of hip and ankle strategies in maintaining mediolateral stability.
Main Methods:
- A graphical representation of human movement mechanics in the frontal plane was created, incorporating body structure and muscular action geometry.
- Ten participants performed Vrikshasana while wearing inertial measurement units on key muscles (trapezius, thoracolumbar fascia, vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius).
- Kinematic accelerations were recorded and analyzed using statistical signal processing (variance and cross-correlation).
Main Results:
- Analysis of kinematic data supported the initial hypotheses regarding postural control.
- Both statistical signal processing methods yielded consistent conclusions regarding body sway and corrective actions.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidated the critical role of hip abductors/adductors and ankle extensors/flexors in maintaining posture during Vrikshasana.
- These findings provide insights into the neural organization and muscular coordination required for balancing in asymmetrical yoga poses.
