Large body sways help maintaining balance by increasing the transmission of cutaneous input following prolonged periods of reduced body oscillations: EEG, microneurography and behavioral evidence

DiscussionThe hypothesis of a depressed sensory transmission during continued skin compression was supported by our microneurographic recordings showing adaptation/suppression of tactile fibres discharge during continuous pressure applied to the mechanoreceptors. Finally, the hypothesis that large sways during standing correspond to a self-generated functional behaviour to release skin compression is supported by cortical source and EMG analyses showing respectively that large sways were preceded by activation of cortical areas known to be engaged in motor planning (supplementary motor area and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and by ankle muscle activations. Together, the present findings provide evidence for an important sensory function of large body sways for balance control.
Source: Neurophysiologie Clinique - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research