Impact of Joint Fixation on Postural Dynamics during Single-Leg Stance

We investigated the relationship between the mechanical degrees of freedom (DoF) and its postural dynamics. The joint DoF was fixed to constrain the mechanical DoF. Nine participants were required to perform a single-leg stance task. The center of pressure trajectory data was analyzed. Ankle fixation induced a larger amount of variability in the anteroposterior direction, and less dimensionality and complexity in the mediolateral direction. These results suggest that the ankle joint fixation caused limited postural sway in the mediolateral direction; therefore, functional DoF and complexity decreased. In contrast, it increased the amount of postural sway variability in the anteroposterior direction. Our findings imply a direct relationship between the mechanical DoF of the human movement system and its postural dynamics.