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Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
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The Relationship Between Postural and Movement Stability.

Anatol G Feldman1,2,3

  • 1Department of Neuroscience and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. anatol.g.feldman@umontreal.ca.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|December 31, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The nervous system uses spatial thresholds to control posture and movement. By shifting these thresholds, the body can transition between stable postures, enabling locomotion and orientation with gravity.

Keywords:
CoactivationEquilibrium point (EP) hypothesisFrame of reference (FR)Joint anglesMechanical reductionismMotoneurons (MN)Posture-movement problemReafferenceReferent bodyReflexesSpatial threshold

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biomechanics
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • Postural stabilization relies on reflexes and intrinsic muscle properties.
  • These mechanisms resist deviations from a balanced posture.
  • Motor unit recruitment occurs at specific spatial thresholds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how the nervous system shifts spatial thresholds for postural muscles.
  • To understand the role of threshold shifting in converting stability-resisting to stability-producing mechanisms.
  • To explore the implications for locomotion and orientation control.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of empirical findings on muscle recruitment and spatial thresholds.
  • Theoretical exploration of how spinal and supraspinal centers modulate these thresholds.
  • Conceptual illustration of the control strategy.

Main Results:

  • Spinal and supraspinal centers can alter spatial thresholds for postural muscles.
  • Shifting thresholds transforms movement-resisting mechanisms into movement-producing ones.
  • This strategy enables stable transitions to new postures, facilitating locomotion.

Conclusions:

  • Postural and movement stability share a common underlying mechanism.
  • The nervous system dynamically adjusts spatial thresholds to control posture and movement.
  • This control strategy is crucial for stable locomotion and orientation relative to gravity.