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Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
Inspiratory muscles contributions to postural control in healthy older women
Gabriel Dias Rodrigues1, Jonas Lírio Gurgel2, Pedro Paulo da Silva Soares1
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil; National Institute for Science & Technology - INCT (In)activity & Exercise, CNPq - Niterói (RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Abstract:
It was hypothesized that induced inspiratory muscles effort, by an acute inspiratory resistance load (IRL) use, increases the postural sway and the neuromuscular activity of postural muscles in older adults. Fifteen older women breathed spontaneously, controlled (15 cycles/minute), and with acute IRL (15 cycles/minute and target load of 30 % of maximal inspiratory pressure) in random order. The breathing tasks were performed in an orthostatic position (eyes closed) during one minute on a baropodometer plate to acquire center-of-pressure (COP) oscillations and with electromyography (EMG) recording. The root mean square (RMS) of EMG was calculated. COP oscillations were higher with IRL use than spontaneous and controlled breathing tasks, but not between spontaneous and controlled conditions. EMG activity of Tibialis anterior and Soleus muscles were higher with IRL use in comparison to spontaneous and controlled breathing conditions. In conclusion, IRL use influenced the postural control through increased postural sway and neuromuscular compensation of the lower limbs in older women.
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