Adaptation of postural control while standing on a narrow unfixed base of support

Int J Rehabil Res. 2016 Mar;39(1):92-5. doi: 10.1097/MRR.0000000000000143.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the adaptation with practice of postural control while standing on a rocker board. Thirteen healthy young adults participated. The participants were asked to stand in a sagittal plane on a rocker board with a semicircular base as steadily as possible for as long as they could. With practice, the duration of maintaining postural balance increased significantly and postural stability improved (P<0.05). Furthermore, the distances between center of pressure and the projection of center of mass decreased (P<0.05), although joint motion of the lower extremities did not change (P>0.05). This observation would be the consequence of a highly redundant human locomotor system. With practice, the central nervous system was able to shift the center of pressure position close to the accurate center of mass position.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological*
  • Adult
  • Biomechanical Phenomena / physiology
  • Female
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Postural Balance / physiology*
  • Young Adult