JN Email Content Delivery
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


J Neurophysiol 80: 1211-1221, 1998;
0022-3077/98 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Web of Science (284)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Winter, D. A.
Right arrow Articles by Gielo-Perczak, K.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Winter, D. A.
Right arrow Articles by Gielo-Perczak, K.

The Journal of Neurophysiology Vol. 80 No. 3 September 1998, pp. 1211-1221
Copyright ©1998 The American Physiological Society

Stiffness Control of Balance in Quiet Standing

David A. Winter1, Aftab E. Patla1, Francois Prince2, Milad Ishac1, and Krystyna Gielo-Perczak1

1 Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1; and 2 Centre de Recherche en Gérontologie et Gériatrie, University de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1C 4C4, Canada

Winter, David A., Aftab E. Patla, Francois Prince, Milad Ishac, and Krystyna Gielo-Perczak. Stiffness control of balance in quiet standing. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 1211-1221, 1998. Our goal was to provide some insights into how the CNS controls and maintains an upright standing posture, which is an integral part of activities of daily living. Although researchers have used simple performance measures of maintenance of this posture quite effectively in clinical decision making, the mechanisms and control principles involved have not been clear. We propose a relatively simple control scheme for regulation of upright posture that provides almost instantaneous corrective response and reduces the operating demands on the CNS. The analytic model is derived and experimentally validated. A stiffness model was developed for quiet standing. The model assumes that muscles act as springs to cause the center-of-pressure (COP) to move in phase with the center-of-mass (COM) as the body sways about some desired position. In the sagittal plane this stiffness control exists at the ankle plantarflexors, in the frontal plane by the hip abductors/adductors. On the basis of observations that the COP-COM error signal continuously oscillates, it is evident that the inverted pendulum model is severely underdamped, approaching the undamped condition. The spectrum of this error signal is seen to match that of a tuned mass, spring, damper system, and a curve fit of this "tuned circuit" yields omega n the undamped natural frequency of the system. The effective stiffness of the system, Ke, is then estimated from Ke = Iomega 2n, and the damping B is estimated from B = BW × I, where BW is the bandwidth of the tuned response (in rad/s), and I is the moment of inertia of the body about the ankle joint. Ten adult subjects were assessed while standing quietly at three stance widths: 50% hip-to-hip distance, 100 and 150%. Subjects stood for 2 min in each position with eyes open; the 100% stance width was repeated with eyes closed. In all trials and in both planes, the COP oscillated virtually in phase (within 6 ms) with COM, which was predicted by a simple 0th order spring model. Sway amplitude decreased as stance width increased, and Ke increased with stance width. A stiffness model would predict sway to vary as K-0.5e. The experimental results were close to this prediction: sway was proportional to K-0.55e. Reactive control of balance was not evident for several reasons. The visual system does not appear to contribute because no significant difference between eyes open and eyes closed results was found at 100% stance width. Vestibular (otolith) and joint proprioceptive reactive control were discounted because the necessary head accelerations, joint displacements, and velocities were well below reported thresholds. Besides, any reactive control would predict that COP would considerably lag (150-250 ms) behind the COM. Because the average COP was only 4 ms delayed behind the COM, reactive control was not evident; this small delay was accounted for by the damping in the tuned mechanical system.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
S. Kim, F. B. Horak, P. Carlson-Kuhta, and S. Park
Postural Feedback Scaling Deficits in Parkinson's Disease
J Neurophysiol, November 1, 2009; 102(5): 2910 - 2920.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
M. M. van der Krogt, W. W. de Graaf, C. T. Farley, C. T. Moritz, L. J. Richard Casius, and M. F. Bobbert
Robust passive dynamics of the musculoskeletal system compensate for unexpected surface changes during human hopping
J Appl Physiol, September 1, 2009; 107(3): 801 - 808.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Phil Trans R Soc AHome page
G. Stepan
Delay effects in the human sensory system during balancing
Phil Trans R Soc A, March 28, 2009; 367(1891): 1195 - 1212.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
T. Kiemel, A. J. Elahi, and J. J. Jeka
Identification of the Plant for Upright Stance in Humans: Multiple Movement Patterns From a Single Neural Strategy
J Neurophysiol, December 1, 2008; 100(6): 3394 - 3406.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
I. J. Pinter, R. van Swigchem, A. J. K. van Soest, and L. A. Rozendaal
The Dynamics of Postural Sway Cannot Be Captured Using a One-Segment Inverted Pendulum Model: A PCA on Segment Rotations During Unperturbed Stance
J Neurophysiol, December 1, 2008; 100(6): 3197 - 3208.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
L. B. Oude Nijhuis, B. R. Bloem, M. G. Carpenter, and J. H. J. Allum
Incorporating Voluntary Knee Flexion Into Nonanticipatory Balance Corrections
J Neurophysiol, November 1, 2007; 98(5): 3047 - 3059.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
I. D. Loram, C. N. Maganaris, and M. Lakie
The passive, human calf muscles in relation to standing: the non-linear decrease from short range to long range stiffness
J. Physiol., October 15, 2007; 584(2): 661 - 675.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
SURG INNOVHome page
G. Lee, T. Lee, D. Dexter, R. Klein, and A. Park
Methodological Infrastructure in Surgical Ergonomics: A Review of Tasks, Models, and Measurement Systems
Surgical Innovation, September 1, 2007; 14(3): 153 - 167.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
D. L. Belavy, C. A. Richardson, S. J. Wilson, D. Felsenberg, and J. Rittweger
Tonic-to-phasic shift of lumbo-pelvic muscle activity during 8 weeks of bed rest and 6-months follow up
J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2007; 103(1): 48 - 54.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
L. Johannsen, A. M. Wing, and V. Hatzitaki
Effects of Maintaining Touch Contact on Predictive and Reactive Balance
J Neurophysiol, April 1, 2007; 97(4): 2686 - 2695.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
W.-L. Hsu, J. P. Scholz, G. Schoner, J. J. Jeka, and T. Kiemel
Control and Estimation of Posture During Quiet Stance Depends on Multijoint Coordination
J Neurophysiol, April 1, 2007; 97(4): 3024 - 3035.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
I. D. Loram, P. J. Gawthrop, and M. Lakie
The frequency of human, manual adjustments in balancing an inverted pendulum is constrained by intrinsic physiological factors
J. Physiol., November 15, 2006; 577(1): 417 - 432.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cereb CortexHome page
E. V. Sullivan, J. Rose, and A. Pfefferbaum
Effect of Vision, Touch and Stance on Cerebellar Vermian-related Sway and Tremor: A Quantitative Physiological and MRI Study
Cereb Cortex, August 1, 2006; 16(8): 1077 - 1086.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
M. Cenciarini and R. J. Peterka
Stimulus-Dependent Changes in the Vestibular Contribution to Human Postural Control
J Neurophysiol, May 1, 2006; 95(5): 2733 - 2750.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
G. Mochizuki, T. D. Ivanova, and S. J. Garland
Synchronization of Motor Units in Human Soleus Muscle During Standing Postural Tasks
J Neurophysiol, July 1, 2005; 94(1): 62 - 69.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
V. Krishnamoorthy and M. L. Latash
Reversals of anticipatory postural adjustments during voluntary sway in humans
J. Physiol., June 1, 2005; 565(2): 675 - 684.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ptjournalHome page
S. L Whitney, R. G Jacob, P. J Sparto, E. F Olshansky, G. Detweiler-Shostak, E. L Brown, and J. M Furman
Acrophobia and Pathological Height Vertigo: Indications for Vestibular Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy, May 1, 2005; 85(5): 443 - 458.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
I. D Loram, C. N Maganaris, and M. Lakie
Human postural sway results from frequent, ballistic bias impulses by soleus and gastrocnemius
J. Physiol., April 1, 2005; 564(1): 295 - 311.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
I. D Loram, C. N Maganaris, and M. Lakie
Active, non-spring-like muscle movements in human postural sway: how might paradoxical changes in muscle length be produced?
J. Physiol., April 1, 2005; 564(1): 281 - 293.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
M. J. Pavol
Detecting and Understanding Differences in Postural Sway. Focus on "A New Interpretation of Spontaneous Sway Measures Based on a Simple Model of Human Postural Control"
J Neurophysiol, January 1, 2005; 93(1): 20 - 21.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
M. G. Carpenter, J. S. Frank, A. L. Adkin, A. Paton, and J.H.J. Allum
Influence of Postural Anxiety on Postural Reactions to Multi-Directional Surface Rotations
J Neurophysiol, December 1, 2004; 92(6): 3255 - 3265.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
J. Jeka, T. Kiemel, R. Creath, F. Horak, and R. Peterka
Controlling Human Upright Posture: Velocity Information Is More Accurate Than Position or Acceleration
J Neurophysiol, October 1, 2004; 92(4): 2368 - 2379.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
C. T. Moritz and C. T. Farley
Passive dynamics change leg mechanics for an unexpected surface during human hopping
J Appl Physiol, October 1, 2004; 97(4): 1313 - 1322.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
I. D. Loram, C. N. Maganaris, and M. Lakie
Paradoxical muscle movement in human standing
J. Physiol., May 1, 2004; 556(3): 683 - 689.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
K. Masani, M. R. Popovic, K. Nakazawa, M. Kouzaki, and D. Nozaki
Importance of Body Sway Velocity Information in Controlling Ankle Extensor Activities During Quiet Stance
J Neurophysiol, December 1, 2003; 90(6): 3774 - 3782.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
M. Lakie, N. Caplan, and I. D Loram
Human balancing of an inverted pendulum with a compliant linkage: neural control by anticipatory intermittent bias
J. Physiol., August 15, 2003; 551(1): 357 - 370.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
I. D Loram and M. Lakie
Direct measurement of human ankle stiffness during quiet standing: the intrinsic mechanical stiffness is insufficient for stability
J. Physiol., December 15, 2002; 545(3): 1041 - 1053.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
P. G. Morasso and V. Sanguineti
Ankle Muscle Stiffness Alone Cannot Stabilize Balance During Quiet Standing
J Neurophysiol, October 1, 2002; 88(4): 2157 - 2162.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
R. J. Peterka
Sensorimotor Integration in Human Postural Control
J Neurophysiol, September 1, 2002; 88(3): 1097 - 1118.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
I. D Loram and M. Lakie
Human balancing of an inverted pendulum: position control by small, ballistic-like, throw and catch movements
J. Physiol., May 1, 2002; 540(3): 1111 - 1124.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical SciencesHome page
J. Gill, J. H. J. Allum, M. G. Carpenter, M. Held-Ziolkowska, A. L. Adkin, F. Honegger, and K. Pierchala
Trunk Sway Measures of Postural Stability During Clinical Balance Tests: Effects of Age
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., July 1, 2001; 56(7): M438 - 447.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
D. A. Winter, A. E. Patla, S. Rietdyk, and M. G. Ishac
Ankle Muscle Stiffness in the Control of Balance During Quiet Standing
J Neurophysiol, June 1, 2001; 85(6): 2630 - 2633.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
I. D Loram, S. M Kelly, and M. Lakie
Human balancing of an inverted pendulum: is sway size controlled by ankle impedance?
J. Physiol., May 1, 2001; 532(3): 879 - 891.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
S. M. Henry, J. Fung, and F. B. Horak
Effect of Stance Width on Multidirectional Postural Responses
J Neurophysiol, February 1, 2001; 85(2): 559 - 570.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
P. G. Morasso and M. Schieppati
Can Muscle Stiffness Alone Stabilize Upright Standing?
J Neurophysiol, September 1, 1999; 82(3): 1622 - 1626.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
I. D Loram and M. Lakie
Human balancing of an inverted pendulum: position control by small, ballistic-like, throw and catch movements
J. Physiol., May 1, 2002; 540(3): 1111 - 1124.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online