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Relationship between standing posture and stability
C G Danis1, D E Krebs, K M Gill-Body
1MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston 02114-4719, USA. krebs.david@mgh.harvard.edu
Physical Therapy
|May 23, 1998
Summary
Individuals with vestibular hypofunction show reduced stability but not distinct postural differences. Adjusting stance width significantly alters whole-body movement patterns for stability control.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Science
- Vestibular System
Background:
- Vestibular hypofunction is associated with balance impairments.
- Previous research suggests potential postural aberrations in individuals with stability deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if individuals with stability impairments exhibit postural aberrations.
- To investigate the relationship between whole-body posture and center-of-gravity (COG) stability.
Main Methods:
- Optoelectronic system and force plates analyzed kinematics and ground reaction forces.
- 27 subjects with vestibular hypofunction and 26 controls were studied.
- Postural data collected during standing with feet apart and feet together, with eyes open and closed.
Main Results:
- Subjects with vestibular hypofunction had significantly less stability but no significant postural differences compared to controls.
- Vestibular hypofunction group exhibited increased weight on the left lower extremity when standing with feet apart.
- All subjects showed anterior COG, anterior pelvic tilt, trunk/head extension, lateral trunk/pelvis flexion, and knee flexion; these increased with feet together stance.
Conclusions:
- Posture and stability showed a low correlation.
- Bilateral vestibular hypofunction did not result in the anecdotally reported forward head or backward trunk lean.
- Altering stance width (feet apart to feet together) increased whole-body movement for stability control.