Quantifying Segmental Contributions to Center-of-Mass Motion During Dynamic Continuous Support Surface Perturbations...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human movement science
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Understanding balance control in dynamic environments is critical.
• Segmental motions contribute to balance reactions but are understudied during continuous perturbations.

Purpose of the Study:

• Quantify body segment contributions to center-of-mass (COM) control during continuous, multidirectional support surface perturbations.
• Assess the impact of segmental motion on COM movement during complex balance tasks.

Main Methods:

• Captured 3D whole-body kinematics of 10 participants during 5 minutes of support surface perturbations.
• Calculated COM position and velocity using a full-body model and reduced segment models.
• Compared COM measures derived from different models to assess segment contributions.

Main Results:

• Removing body segments increased errors and decreased relationship strength compared to the full-body model.
• Body segments significantly affected COM measures, especially COM velocity.
• Segmental inclusion improved the accuracy of COM velocity calculations.

Conclusions:

• Body segments play a key role in controlling center-of-mass velocity during continuous balance perturbations.
• Limb and trunk movements are vital for effective balance control in moving environments.
• This study advances understanding of how body segments contribute to dynamic balance.