Compensatory control between the legs in automatic postural responses to stance perturbations under single-leg fatigue.

Compensatory control between the legs in automatic postural responses to stance perturbations under single-leg fatigue. Exp Brain Res. 2021 Jan 02;: Authors: Rinaldin CDP, Avila de Oliveira J, Ribeiro de Souza C, Scheeren EM, Coelho DB, Teixeira LA Abstract In response to sudden perturbations of stance stability, muscles of both legs are activated for balance recovery. In conditions that one of the legs has a reduced capacity to respond, the opposite leg is predicted to compensate by responding more powerfully to restore stable upright stance. In this investigation, we aimed to evaluate between-leg compensatory control in automatic postural responses to sudden perturbations in a situation in which plantar flexor muscles of a single leg were fatigued. Young participants were evaluated in response to a series of perturbations inducing forward body sway, with a focus on activation of plantar flexor muscles: lateral and medial gastrocnemii and soleus. Muscular responses were analyzed through activation magnitude and latency of muscular activation onset. For evaluation of balance and postural stability, we also analyzed the center of pressure and upper trunk displacement and weight-bearing asymmetry between the legs. Responses were assessed in three conditions: pre-fatigue, under single-leg fatigue, and following the recovery of muscular function. Results showed (a) compensation of the non-fatigued leg through the increased magnitude of m...
Source: Experimental Brain Research - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Exp Brain Res Source Type: research