Involvement of different receptors in the regulation of human posture

Compensatory electromyographic (EMG) responses and several biomechanical parameters were studied following impulsive disturbance of the lower limbs during stance on a treadmill. Treadmill acceleration impulses were backwards or forwards directed, or their direction was inverted after 30 ms. Backwards directed impulses were followed by gastrocnemius and forwards directed ones by tibialis anterior EMG responses (latency 65-75 ms) whose duration depended on impulse duration. When the direction of the impulse was inverted, the respective antagonistic leg muscles were activated, with a delay of 68 to 75 ms after onset of stretch of these muscles. The behaviour of the EMG responses could best be correlated to the displacement at the ankle joint and may be described in terms of a stretch reflex response. The function of this stretch reflex mechanism is suggested to be connected with the control of the body's centre of gravity in order to prevent falling. Head movements induced by the impulses showed little correlation with the appearance of the EMG responses, suggesting that the vestibular system is unlikely to be significantly involved in the generation of these responses.