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Updated: Dec 22, 2025
08:12
Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
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Examining Human Unipedal Quiet Stance: Characterizing Control through Jerk
Matthew R Semak1, Jeremiah Schwartz1, Gary Heise2
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA.
Summary
Human balance control during unipedal stance is quantified by foot jerk, the rate of change in acceleration. This study modeled foot jerk as a stochastic process, revealing temporal scaling behaviors important for understanding balance control mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Motor Control
- Stochastic Processes
Background:
- Balance control is crucial for maintaining upright posture.
- Smoothness of movement, quantified by jerk, indicates control during stance.
- The stochastic nature of human postural control requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model the jerk of the center-of-pressure (COP) during unipedal quiet stance as a stochastic process.
- To explore the temporal scaling behavior of foot jerk.
- To understand the underlying control mechanisms of human balance.
Main Methods:
- Data collection using a force plate during unipedal quiet stance (eyes open).
- Quantification of smoothness using the time rate of change of acceleration (jerk).
- Application of detrended fluctuation analysis to investigate temporal scaling properties.
Main Results:
- The time series of foot jerk were found to be stochastic.
- Both medial-lateral and anterior-posterior jerk components exhibited persistent and antipersistent correlations.
- Fractional Gaussian noise successfully modeled the temporal scaling behavior across three regions.
Conclusions:
- Foot jerk during unipedal stance can be modeled as a stochastic process.
- The observed correlations suggest complex control mechanisms influencing balance.
- Jerk-based control of COP force may play a significant role in maintaining stability.
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