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Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
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Association Between Postural Control Deficits and Alterations in Network Connectivity in Chronic Ankle Instability-A
Shanshan Zheng, Zikun Wang1, Le Yu1
1Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
|January 9, 2026
Summary
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) involves altered brain connectivity, particularly within the sensorimotor network. These neuroplastic changes correlate with impaired postural control in individuals with CAI.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is common in athletes, causing functional deficits.
- The neuroplastic mechanisms underlying CAI and its impact on balance are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate brain network connectivity alterations in individuals with CAI.
- To explore the relationship between these brain changes and postural control deficits.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing 29 CAI patients and 29 controls.
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used.
- Connectivity between sensorimotor network and other networks was analyzed and correlated with postural control.
Main Results:
- CAI patients showed increased functional connectivity between the sensorimotor network and attention, executive, and default mode networks.
- A negative correlation was found between sensorimotor-central executive network connectivity and postural sway area in CAI patients (r = -0.380, P = 0.042).
Conclusions:
- Large-scale brain network reorganization is implicated in CAI.
- Altered functional connectivity may contribute to the postural control deficits observed in CAI.
