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Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
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Limit cycle oscillations in standing human posture.

James R Chagdes1, Shirley Rietdyk2, Jeffrey M Haddad2

  • 1Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Miami University, 650 East High Street, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States.

Journal of Biomechanics
|March 29, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Limit cycle oscillations (LCOs) in human posture indicate excessive neuromuscular time-delay. This finding may aid in detecting neuromuscular deficiencies in conditions like multiple sclerosis and concussion.

Keywords:
BalanceBifurcationsLimit cycleModelNeuromuscular diseaseTime-delay

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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Systems Neuroscience
  • Dynamical Systems Theory

Background:

  • Limit cycle oscillations (LCOs) are characteristic of dynamic instability in various nonlinear systems.
  • The human neuromuscular system, crucial for maintaining upright posture, is a complex nonlinear system with inherent time delays.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between limit cycle oscillations (LCOs) and neuromuscular time-delay in human standing posture.
  • To determine if LCOs in postural sway can serve as an indicator of neuromuscular deficiencies.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a simple mathematical model to link LCOs in posture to neuromuscular time-delay.
  • Analysis of postural sway in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and concussed athletes using wavelet analysis.
  • Comparison of LCO presence in patient groups with control groups (MS-controls, older adults, concussion-controls).

Main Results:

  • Mathematical model suggests LCOs are indicative of excessive neuromuscular time-delay.
  • Intermittent LCOs were observed in 67% of individuals with multiple sclerosis and 44% of concussed athletes.
  • LCOs were detected in 8% of MS-controls, but in 0% of older adults and concussion-controls.

Conclusions:

  • Limit cycle oscillations in postural sway are linked to increased neuromuscular time-delay.
  • The presence of LCOs may serve as a biomarker for detecting neuromuscular deficiencies.
  • Findings suggest potential applications for LCO analysis in clinical diagnostics for conditions affecting the neuromuscular system.