Frequency-dependent contributions of sagittal-plane foot force to upright human standing

Quiet standing is a mechanically unstable postural objective that humans typically perform with ease. Control of upright posture requires stabilization of both translational and rotational degrees-of-freedom that is accomplished by neuro-muscular coordination. This coordination produces a force at the ground-foot interface (F) that is quantified by magnitude, direction (θ_F), and point of application (center-of-pressure, CP). Previous research has shown that the nervous system controls muscle activation such that CP motion occurs at both slow and fast time scales. However, it is unknown how θ_F varies with respect to CP and how that relationship varies across time scales. We present a novel method for assessing the frequency-dependent relative variation in θ_F and CP. The center-of-pressure (CP) and direction of the ground-on-foot force (F) in the sagittal-plane during quiet standing were decomposed into 0.2 Hz-width frequency bands within 0.4-8.0 Hz. The relation between the direction and CP was approximately linear with a slope positively related to frequency. These frequency-dependent features of F have critical implications for understanding balance strategy because the translational and rotational acceleration effects of F were coupled, but with opposite phasing at high versus low frequencies. Such results suggest a system tuned for one stability mode at low frequencies and another mode at higher frequencies. This frequency-wise approach to examining the translational and rotational effects of humans' preferred F may be useful for establishing balance rehabilitation metrics, directing study of the underlying neural mechanisms responsible for the observed coordination, and for setting a biometric standard to inform biomimetic prosthetics and robotics.