scholarly journals Assessment of Visual Reliance in Balance Control: An Inexpensive Extension of the Static Posturography

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jozef Púčik ◽  
Marián Šaling ◽  
Tomáš Lukáč ◽  
Oldřich Ondráček ◽  
Martin Kucharík
Keyword(s):  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Upright Stance ◽  
Discrimination Power ◽  
Age Related

Ability of humans to maintain balance in an upright stance and during movement activities is one of the most natural skills affecting everyday life. This ability progressively deteriorates with increasing age, and balance impairment, often aggravated by age-related diseases, can result in falls that adversely impact the quality of life. Falls represent serious problems of health concern associated with aging. Many investigators, involved in different science disciplines such as medicine, engineering, psychology, and sport, have been attracted by a research of the human upright stance. In a clinical practice, stabilometry based on the force plate is the most widely available procedure used to evaluate the balance. In this paper, we have proposed a low-cost extension of the conventional stabilometry by the multimedia technology that allows identifying potentially disturbing effects of visual sensory information. Due to the proposed extension, a stabilometric assessment in terms of line integral of center of pressure (COP) during moving scene stimuli shows higher discrimination power between young healthy and elderly subjects with supposed stronger visual reliance.

scholarly journals Age-related neuromuscular function and dynamic balance control during slow and fast balance perturbations

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 2557-2562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarmo M. Piirainen ◽  
Vesa Linnamo ◽  
Neil J. Cronin ◽  
Janne Avela
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Feedback ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Neuromuscular Function ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Fast Recovery ◽  
M Wave ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Wave Latency

This study investigated age-related differences in dynamic balance control and its connection to reflexes and explosive isometric plantar flexor torque in 19 males (9 Young aged 20–33 yr, 10 Elderly aged 61–72 yr). Dynamic balance was measured during Slow (15 cm/s) and Fast (25 cm/s) anterior and posterior perturbations. H/M-ratio was measured at 20% of maximal M-wave (H/M20%) 10, 30, and 90 ms after perturbations. Stretch reflexes were measured from tibialis anterior and soleus during anterior and posterior perturbations, respectively. In Slow, Elderly exhibited larger peak center-of-pressure (COP) displacement (15%; P < 0.05) during anterior perturbations. In Fast, Young showed a trend for faster recovery (37%; P = 0.086) after anterior perturbations. M-wave latency was similar between groups (6.2 ± 0.7 vs. 6.9 ± 1.2 ms), whereas Elderly showed a longer H-reflex latency (33.7 ± 2.3 vs. 36.4 ± 1.7 ms; P < 0.01). H/M20% was higher in Young 30 ms after Fast anterior (50%; P < 0.05) and posterior (51%; P < 0.05) perturbations. Plantar flexor rapid torque was also higher in Young (26%; P < 0.05). After combining both groups' data, H/M20% correlated negatively with Slow peak COP displacement ( r = −0.510, P < 0.05) and positively with Fast recovery time ( r = 0.580, P < 0.05) for anterior perturbations. Age-related differences in balance control seem to be more evident in anterior than posterior perturbations, and rapid sensory feedback is generally important for balance perturbation recovery.

scholarly journals Aging does not affect the intralimb coordination elicited by slip-like perturbation of different intensities

2017 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 1739-1748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Aprigliano ◽  
Dario Martelli ◽  
Peppino Tropea ◽  
Guido Pasquini ◽  
Silvestro Micera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Coordination Strategy ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Control Schemes ◽  
Intralimb Coordination ◽  
Older Subjects ◽  
Spatio Temporal

This study was aimed at verifying whether aging modifies intralimb coordination strategy during corrective responses elicited by unexpected slip-like perturbations delivered during steady walking on a treadmill. To this end, 10 young and 10 elderly subjects were asked to manage unexpected slippages of different intensities. We analyzed the planar covariation law of the lower limb segments, using the principal component analysis, to verify whether elevation angles of older subjects covaried along a plan before and after the perturbation. Results showed that segments related to the perturbed limbs of both younger and older people do not covary after all perturbations. Conversely, the planar covariation law of the unperturbed limb was systematically held for younger and older subjects. These results occurred despite differences in spatio-temporal and kinematic parameters being observed among groups and perturbation intensities. Overall, our analysis revealed that aging does not affect intralimb coordination during corrective responses induced by slip-like perturbation, suggesting that both younger and older subjects adopt this control strategy while managing sudden and unexpected postural transitions of increasing intensities. Accordingly, results corroborate the hypothesis that balance control emerges from a governing set of biomechanical invariants, that is, suitable control schemes (e.g., planar covariation law) shared across voluntary and corrective motor behaviors, and across different sensory contexts due to different perturbation intensities, in both younger and older subjects. In this respect, our findings provide further support to investigate the effects of specific task training programs to counteract the risk of fall. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study was aimed at investigating how aging affects the intralimb coordination of lower limb segments, described by the planar covariation law, during unexpected slip-like perturbations of increasing intensity. Results revealed that neither the aging nor the perturbation intensity affects this coordination strategy. Accordingly, we proposed that the balance control emerges from an invariant set of control schemes shared across different sensory motor contexts and despite age-related neuromuscular adaptations.

scholarly journals Static Balance in Patients with Vestibular Impairments: A Preliminary Study

Scientifica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Talebi ◽  
Mohammad Taghi Karimi ◽  
Seyed Hamid Reza Abtahi ◽  
Niloofar Fereshtenejad
Keyword(s):  
Path Length ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Static Balance ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Age Limits ◽  
The Difference

Aims. Vestibular system is indicated as one of the most important sensors responsible for static and dynamic postural control. In this study, we evaluated static balance in patients with unilateral vestibular impairments.Materials and Methods. We compared static balance control using Kistler force plate platform between 10 patients with unilateral vestibular impairments and 20 normal counterparts in the same sex ratio and age limits (50±7). We evaluated excursion and velocity of center of pressure (COP) and path length in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) planes with eyes open and with eyes closed.Results. There was no significant difference between COP excursions in ML and AP planes between both groups with eyes open and eyes closed (pvalue > 0.05). In contrast, the difference between velocity and path length of COP in the mentioned planes was significant between both groups with eyes open and eyes closed (pvalue < 0.05).Conclusions. The present study showed the static instability and balance of patients with vestibular impairments indicated by the abnormal characteristics of body balance.

scholarly journals Preseason to Postseason Changes on the BTrackS Force Plate in a Sample of College Athletes

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-136
Author(s):  
Ryan Morrison ◽  
Kyle M. Petit ◽  
Chris Kuenze ◽  
Ryan N. Moran ◽  
Tracey Covassin
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Path Length ◽  
College Athletes ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Minimal Detectable Change ◽  
Detectable Change ◽  
Competitive Season ◽  
Significant Difference

Context: Balance testing is a vital component in the evaluation and management of sport-related concussion. Few studies have examined the use of objective, low-cost, force-plate balance systems and changes in balance after a competitive season. Objective: To examine the extent of preseason versus postseason static balance changes using the Balance Tracking System (BTrackS) force plate in college athletes. Design: Pretest, posttest design. Setting: Athletic training facility. Participants: A total of 47 healthy, Division-I student-athletes (33 males and 14 females; age 18.4 [0.5] y, height 71.8 [10.8] cm, weight 85.6 [21.7] kg) participated in this study. Main Outcome Measures: Total center of pressure path length was measured preseason and postseason using the BTrackS force plate. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was conducted to examine preseason and postseason changes. SEM and minimal detectable change were also calculated. Results: There was a significant difference in center of pressure path length differed between preseason (24.6 [6.8] cm) and postseason (22.7 [5.4] cm) intervals (P = .03), with an SEM of 3.8 cm and minimal detectable change of 10.5 cm. Conclusions: Significant improvements occurred for center of pressure path length after a competitive season, when assessed using the BTrackS in a sample of college athletes. Further research is warranted to determine the effectiveness of the BTrackS as a reliable, low-cost alternative to force-plate balance systems. In addition, clinicians may need to update baseline balance assessments more frequently to account for improvements.

A Study on Visual Perturbations Effect on Balance in a VR Environment

2019 ◽  
pp. 67-88
Author(s):  
Markus Santoso ◽  
David Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Environment Design ◽  
Support Condition ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Human Balance

Users sometimes lost their balance or even fell down when they played virtual reality (VR) games or projects. This may be attributed to degree of content, high-rate of latency, coordination of various sensory inputs, and others. The authors investigated the effect of sudden visual perturbations on human balance in VR environment. This research used the latest VR head mounted display to present visual perturbations to disturb balance. To quantify balance, measured by double-support and single-support stance, the authors measured the subject's center of pressure (COP) using a force plate. The results indicated that visual perturbations presented in virtual reality disrupted balance control in the single support condition but not in the double support condition. Results from this study can be applied to clinical research on balance and VR environment design.

scholarly journals Postural control in top-level female volleyball players

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Borzucka ◽  
Krzysztof Kręcisz ◽  
Zbigniew Rektor ◽  
Michał Kuczyński
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Sampling Rate ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Peak Frequency ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Volleyball Players

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to compare the postural control of the Poland national women’s volleyball team players with a control group of non-training young women. It was hypothesized that volleyball players use a specific balance control strategy due to the high motor requirements of their team sport. Methods Static postural sway variables were measured in 31 athletes and 31 non-training women. Participants were standing on a force plate with eyes open, and their center of pressure signals were recorded for the 20s with the sampling rate of 20 Hz in the medial-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) planes. Results In both AP and ML planes, athletes had lower range and higher fractal dimension of the COP. They had also higher peak frequency than control group in the ML plane only. The remaining COP indices including variability, mean velocity and mean frequency did not display any intergroup differences. Conclusion It can be assumed that due to the high motor requirements of their sport discipline Polish female volleyball players have developed a unique posture control. On the court they have to distribute their sensory resources optimally between balance control and actions resulting from the specifics of the volleyball game. There are no clearly defined criteria for optimal postural strategies for elite athletes, but they rather vary depending on a given sport. The results of our research confirm this claim. Trial registration The tests were previously approved by the Bioethical Commission of the Chamber of Physicians in Opole. (Resolution No. 151/13.12.2007). This study adheres to the CONSORT guidelines.

scholarly journals Single-Legged Hop and Single-Legged Squat Balance Performance in Recreational Athletes With a History of Concussion

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 488-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Lynall ◽  
Kody R. Campbell ◽  
Timothy C. Mauntel ◽  
J. Troy Blackburn ◽  
Jason P. Mihalik
Keyword(s):  
Injury Risk ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Time To Stabilization ◽  
History Of

Context Researchers have suggested that balance deficiencies may linger during functional activities after concussion recovery. Objective To determine whether participants with a history of concussion demonstrated dynamic balance deficits as compared with control participants during single-legged hops and single-legged squats. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants A total of 15 previously concussed participants (6 men, 9 women; age = 19.7 ± 0.9 years, height = 169.2 ± 9.4 cm, mass = 66.0 ± 12.8 kg, median time since concussion = 126 days [range = 28–432 days]) were matched with 15 control participants (6 men, 9 women; age = 19.7 ± 1.6 years, height = 172.3 ± 10.8 cm, mass = 71.0 ± 10.4 kg). Intervention(s) During single-legged hops, participants jumped off a 30-cm box placed at 50% of their height behind a force plate, landed on a single limb, and attempted to achieve a stable position as quickly as possible. Participants performed single-legged squats while standing on a force plate. Main Outcome Measure(s) Time to stabilization (TTS; time for the normalized ground reaction force to stabilize after landing) was calculated during the single-legged hop, and center-of-pressure path and speed were calculated during single-legged squats. Groups were compared using analysis of covariance, controlling for average days since concussion. Results The concussion group demonstrated a longer TTS than the control group during the single-legged hop on the nondominant leg (mean difference = 0.35 seconds [95% confidence interval = 0.04, 0.64]; F2,27 = 5.69, P = .02). No TTS differences were observed for the dominant leg (F2,27 = 0.64, P = .43). No group differences were present for the single-legged squat on either leg (P ≥ .11). Conclusions Dynamic balance-control deficits after concussion may contribute to an increased musculoskeletal injury risk. Given our findings, we suggest that neuromuscular deficits currently not assessed after concussion may linger. Time to stabilization is a clinically applicable measure that has been used to distinguish patients with various pathologic conditions, such as chronic ankle instability and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, from healthy control participants. Whereas the single-legged squat may not sufficiently challenge balance control, future study of the more dynamic single-legged hop is needed to determine its potential diagnostic and prognostic value after concussion.

Regulation of Balance After Spinning: A Comparison Between Figure Skaters and Controls

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cadence M Baker ◽  
Gordon E Barkwell
Keyword(s):  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Figure Skaters ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Balance Ability ◽  
Base Of Support ◽  
And Control ◽  
Female Control

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to compare the balance performance of control subjects and varsity figure skaters after spinning on a turntable for 6 seconds. It was hypothesized figure skaters would demonstrate better balance control after spinning. Methods: 9 female figure skaters and 9 female control subjects stood as still as possible for 15 seconds on a Kistler force plate during both a control condition and after spinning for 6 seconds on a turntable. Balance performance was quantified by the percentage of total time the center of pressure (CoP) was within a 5mm radius of the center of their base of support (BoS). Results: In the control condition, figure skaters and control participants did not have significantly different balance ability. In the post-spin condition, figure skaters were significantly better at maintaining their CoP within a smaller area. Conclusions: These results are valuable from a training and coaching perspective because they suggest that balance performance after spinning can be improved with training.

scholarly journals Force Plate Assessment of Quiet Standing Balance Control: Perspectives on Clinical Application within Stroke Rehabilitation

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. RPO.S20363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avril Mansfield ◽  
Elizabeth L. Inness
Keyword(s):  
Stroke Rehabilitation ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Standing Balance ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Eyes Closed

Assessment of balance control is essential to guide physical rehabilitation poststroke. However, current observational assessment tools available to physiotherapists provide limited information about underlying dyscontrol. This paper describes a force plate-based assessment of quiet standing balance control that we have implemented for individuals attending inpatient stroke rehabilitation. The assessment uses two force plates to measure location of ground reaction forces to maintain stability in quiet standing in five conditions (eyes open, eyes closed, standing symmetrically, and maximal loading on the less-affected and more-affected limbs). Measures of interest are variability of the centers of pressure under each foot and both feet combined, weight-bearing asymmetry, and correlation of center of pressure fluctuations between limbs. We present representative values for the above-mentioned measures and case examples to illustrate how the assessment can reveal patient-specific balance control problems and direct treatment. We identify limitations to our current assessment and recommendations for future research.

IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FOREFOOT WEDGES ON STANDING STABILITY IN YOUNG ADULTS

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (01) ◽  
pp. 1850014
Author(s):  
Chu-Fen Chang ◽  
Hui-Ji Fan ◽  
Hung-Bin Chen ◽  
Houu-Wooi Lim ◽  
Hsiao-Yuan Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Random Sequence ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Arch Support ◽  
Forward Falls

The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of wearing the functional insoles with different slopes of forefoot wedges on postural stability in young adults during quiet stance. In this study, the functional insole was composed of a forefoot wedge and a medial arch support. Twelve healthy young adults (six males and six females) participated. Each subject wore sneakers with and without functional insole and stood as still as possible on a force plate with feet together, arms by side and head facing ahead for 60[Formula: see text]s, while eyes open and eyes closed, respectively. The functional insole was applied in the random sequence of no insole, wearing insole with a medial arch and a four-degree forefoot wedge, as well as wearing insole with a medial arch and an eight-degree forefoot wedge. The sway areas as well as the maximal excursions of the center of pressure (COP) in anterior–posterior (AP) and medial–lateral (ML) directions were used to evaluate the static postural stability. During stance with feet together and eyes closed, the sway area and maximal excursion of the COP in the AP direction were significantly decreased when wearing an eight-degree forefoot wedge functional insole. Since the reduced displacements of the COP indicated better postural control, it was suggested that the functional insole with an eight-degree forefoot wedge and a medial arch support might be beneficial to improve the postural stability in patients with impaired balance control, especially for whom having high risk of forward falls.

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