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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-01-2014 | Original Article

Importance of optic flow for postural stability of male and female young adults

Authors: Milena Raffi, Alessandro Piras, Michela Persiani, Salvatore Squatrito

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Purpose

A feedback control process based on self-motion perception contributes to postural stability; however, little is known about the visual modulation of postural muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of optic flow stimuli, presented full field, in the peripheral and foveal visual field, on muscular activation. Then, we assessed the correlation between optic flow, muscle activity and body sway in male and female subjects.

Methods

We used surface electromyography (EMG) and stabilometry on 24 right-handed young adults. We recorded the bilateral activation of tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis, biceps femoris and vastus medialis. EMG and center of pressure (COP) signals were acquired simultaneously. EMG signal amplitude was computed as root mean square normalized by baseline.

Results

We found a significant effect for muscles, gender and an interaction effect of muscle by gender (ANOVA, p < 0.001). Results showed different postural alignments in males and females. The COP spatial variability during peripheral stimuli was generally reduced. The prevalent direction of oscillation evoked by peripheral stimuli was clustered, while foveal and random stimuli induced distributed and randomized directions. Also for muscle activity, we found gender differences in the prevalent oscillation distributions evoked by optic flow.

Conclusion

Visual stimuli always evoke an excitatory input on postural muscles, but the stimulus structure produces different postural effects. Peripheral optic flow stimuli stabilize postural sway, while random and foveal optic flow provoke larger sway variability similar to those evoked in the absence of visual stimulation.

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Title: Importance of optic flow for postural stability of male and female young adults
Authors: Milena Raffi
Alessandro Piras
Michela Persiani
Salvatore Squatrito
Publication date: 01-01-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2750-4

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Importance of optic flow for postural stability of male and female young adults

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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