Effects of experimentally induced cervical spine mobility alteration on the postural organisation of gait initiation

Gait initiation (GI), the transient period between quiet standing and locomotion, is a functional task classically used in the literature to investigate postural control. This study aimed to investigate the influence of an experimentally-induced alteration of cervical spine mobility (CSM) on GI postural organisation. Fifteen healthy young adults initiated gait on a force-plate in (1) two test conditions, where participants wore a neck orthosis that passively simulated low and high levels of CSM alteration; (2) one control condition, where participants wore no orthosis; and (3) one placebo condition, where participants wore a cervical bandage that did not limit CSM. Centre-of-pressure and centre-of-mass kinematics were computed based on force-plate recordings according to Newton's second law. Main results showed that anticipatory postural adjustments amplitude (peak backward centre-of-pressure shift and forward centre-of-mass velocity at toe-off) and motor performance (step length and forward centre-of-mass velocity at foot-contact) were altered under the condition of high CSM restriction. These effects of CSM restriction may reflect the implementation of a more cautious strategy directed to attenuate head-in-space destabilisation and ease postural control. It follows that clinicians should be aware that the prescription of a rigid neck orthosis to posturo-deficient patients could exacerbate pre-existing GI deficits.