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Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
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Inter-Individual Variability in Postural Control During External Center of Mass Stabilization
Daša Gorjan1, Nejc Šarabon2,3,4, Jan Babič1,5
1Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Laboratory for Neuromechanics and Biorobotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Frontiers in Physiology
|January 20, 2022
Summary
External stabilization of the center of mass (COM) revealed significant individual differences in postural control. Pre-stabilization quiet standing parameters did not predict these varied responses, highlighting unexplained inter-individual variability.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Motor Control
- Postural Stability
Background:
- Understanding the relationship between center of mass (COM) and center of pressure (COP) is crucial for elucidating body equilibrium mechanisms.
- Previous methods to study this relationship, such as fixing joints, artificially constrained natural human motion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causes of inter-individual variability in postural control.
- To explore if pre-stabilization quiet standing parameters predict responses to external COM stabilization.
Main Methods:
- An external stabilization method using an inverted cart-pendulum system was employed to stabilize COM without restricting joint movements.
- Eighteen volunteers stood on an actuated cart; COM was stabilized anteroposteriorly for 105 seconds using a double PID controller.
- Quiet standing parameters (velocity, amplitude, frequency) were analyzed using hierarchical clustering.
Main Results:
- External COM stabilization was successful for some participants but destabilizing for others, indicating significant inter-individual variability in postural control.
- Hierarchical clustering revealed that pre-stabilization quiet standing parameters could not explain this observed variability.
Conclusions:
- Postural control exhibits substantial inter-individual variability that is not explained by simple quiet standing parameters.
- The effectiveness of external COM stabilization varies significantly between individuals, suggesting complex underlying control mechanisms.
Keywords:
external stabilizationhierarchical clusteringinverted pendulumpostural controlpostural variabilityMore Related Videos
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