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01-06-2020 | Original Article

Linearity and repeatability of postural responses in relation to peak force and impulse of manually delivered perturbations: a preliminary study

Authors: Zeevi Dvir, Maria Paterna, Martina Quargnenti, Carlo De Benedictis, Daniela Maffiodo, Walter Franco, Carlo Ferraresi, Andrea Manca, Franca Deriu, Silvestro Roatta

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 6/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Postural reactions (PR) of standing subjects have been mostly investigated in response to platform displacements or body perturbations of fixed magnitude. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between PR and the peak force and impulse of the perturbation.

Methods

In ten healthy young men, standing balance was challenged by anteriorly directed perturbations (peak force: 20–60 N) delivered to the back, at the lumbar (L) or inter-scapular (IS) level, by means of a manual perturbator equipped with a force sensor. Postural reactions as expressed by the displacement of the center of pressure (CoP) were recorded using a force platform. Two sets of 20 randomly ordered perturbations (10 to each site) were delivered in two separate testing sessions.

Results

The magnitude of CoP response (∆CoP) was better correlated with the impulse (I) than with the peak force of the perturbation. The normalized response, ∆CoP_n = ∆CoP/I, exhibited good reliability (ICCs of 0.93 for IS and 0.82 for L), was higher with IS than with L perturbations (p < 0.01), and was significantly correlated with the latency of CoP response: r = 0.69 and 0.71 for IS and L, respectively.

Conclusion

These preliminary findings support the concept that manually delivered perturbations can be used to reliably assess individual PR and that ∆CoP_n may effectively express a relevant aspect of postural control.

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Title: Linearity and repeatability of postural responses in relation to peak force and impulse of manually delivered perturbations: a preliminary study
Authors: Zeevi Dvir
Maria Paterna
Martina Quargnenti
Carlo De Benedictis
Daniela Maffiodo
Walter Franco
Carlo Ferraresi
Andrea Manca
Franca Deriu
Silvestro Roatta
Publication date: 01-06-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 6/2020
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04364-y

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Linearity and repeatability of postural responses in relation to peak force and impulse of manually delivered perturbations: a preliminary study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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