What is postural sway?
What is postural sway?
Postural sway is the movement of the COM in a standing position2). A force platform system can provide quantifying data for postural control of subjects by measuring the postural sway7). Previous studies reported an association of increased in postural sway with aging8).
Why does postural sway occur?
Postural sway, in terms of human sense of balance, refers to horizontal movement around the center of gravity. This sway is essential due to the many large and small changes in the center of gravity due to functions such as walking and breathing.
What is the postural mechanism?
The postural system maintains a specific body orientation and equilibrium during standing and during locomotion in the presence of many destabilizing factors (external and internal). Numerous studies in humans have revealed essential features of the functional organization of this system.
What is sway in biomechanics?
Balance in biomechanics, is an ability to maintain the line of gravity (vertical line from centre of mass) of a body within the base of support with minimal postural sway. Sway is the horizontal movement of the centre of gravity even when a person is standing still.
What is sway path distance?
Sway path is the distance traversed by the center of foot pressure for a standing subject. Although this statistic is frequently used in the analysis of postural sway, it has several unrecognized drawbacks.
What is sway measured in?
Body sway can be measured with a simple technology, such as using a “swaymeter” [8] or Wright’s ataxiameter [9]. The swaymeter measures displacements of the body at the waist level, whereas the ataxiameter can be used to define sway as an angular movement of the body around the ankle joint.
What are the types of postural control?
The visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems are the main sensory systems involved in postural control and balance. Postural orientation and equilibrium are two main functional goals of postural control.
What influences postural control?
Central aspects of postural control research are the influence of individual preconditions such as age (Donker et al., 2007) or proficiency in balance-related skills and abilities (Krampe et al., 2014), and attentional requirements (Woollacott and Shumway-Cook, 2002).
What is postural instability?
Postural instability is the inability to maintain equilibrium under dynamic and static conditions such as preparation of movements, perturbations, and quiet stance.