Analysis of postural adjustment strategies in young adults and elderly people on the seesaw

Abstract

Introduction: In normal conditions we should be able to adopt and remain in different postures minimizing the instability effects to perform activities of daily life. Visual, vestibular and proprioceptive information are important for balance control. The interaction and interpretation theses information by the central nervous system allows the subject do adjustments with the goal to perform static and dynamic tasks without fall. With the growing old in progress, the balance became impaired due the several alterations on the postural control system, in this way fall and fractures can take place. Purpose: To describe the postural adjustment strategies adopted by young adults and elderly people during a postural instability condition (seesaw) with and without influence of visual information. Methods: Twenty subjects (ten in each group) will participate of this study. The subjects will be instructed to stand up on the seesaw and keep the balance in this position. Eight balance conditions will be collected, combining two height of seesaw (H1 and H2), two ratios of seesaw (R1 and R2), open eyes (OE), and close eyes (CE). The movements of hip, knee and, ankle will be reconstructed using Optotrak 3020 (Northen Digital, Inc.), the centre of press displacement will be measured with force plate (model OR-6, AMTI Inc.), and EMG signal will be recorded with surface electrodes (Delsys, Inc.). (AU)