Physikalische Charakterisierung des Therapiegerätes Posturomed als Meβgerät – Vorstellung eines Verfahrens zur Quantifizierung des Balancevermögens / Physical Characterization of the Therapeutic Device Posturomed as a Measuring Device – Presentation of a Procedure to Characterize Balancing Ability
- 1 January 2004
- journal article
- abstracts
- Published by Walter de Gruyter GmbH in Biomedizinische Technik/Biomedical Engineering
- Vol. 49 (3) , 56-60
- https://doi.org/10.1515/bmt.2004.011
Abstract
Training measures to improve neuromuscular coordination are becoming ever more popular for both prevention and rehabilitation, not only in athletes but also patients receiving joint replacements. Numerous proprioceptive training measures and devices are used to train the sense of balance. Parameters suitable for quantifying the results of therapy are largely lacking. Herein, a simple method for quantifying the balancing on one leg using the therapeutic device (Posturomed) commonly employed to train balance in the upright stance. The horizontal movements of the oscillating suspended platform were recorded in two orthogonal directions using a non-contact measurement system. To simulate disturbance of the upright stance, a mechanical deflection device was applied to the platform. The physical characterization of the measuring system was done using rigid masses. 13 volunteers adopting a one-legged stance were investigated. The measured displacement in the medio-lateral (ML) and AP directions were used to establish a balance index. Examination of the oscillatory behaviour of the platform revealed the path signal to be a suitable parameter for analyzing the platform movements. Differences in balance characteristics between AP and ML movements could be quantified. Frontal disturbance of the upright stance is equilibrated more effectively than lateral disturbances. Combined with a non-contact path measuring system the therapeutic device is suitable for characterizing balancing ability in an upright one-legged stance. To obtain more detailed information on the neuromuscular mechanisms involved, further studies are needed.Keywords
This publication has 9 references indexed in Scilit:
- Direct measurement of human ankle stiffness during quiet standing: the intrinsic mechanical stiffness is insufficient for stabilityThe Journal of Physiology, 2002
- Ankle Muscle Stiffness Alone Cannot Stabilize Balance During Quiet StandingJournal of Neurophysiology, 2002
- The time course of attention shifts following perturbation of upright stanceExperimental Brain Research, 2002
- Ankle Muscle Stiffness in the Control of Balance During Quiet StandingJournal of Neurophysiology, 2001
- Can Muscle Stiffness Alone Stabilize Upright Standing?Journal of Neurophysiology, 1999
- Stiffness Control of Balance in Quiet StandingJournal of Neurophysiology, 1998
- Gait Changes in Older Adults: Predictors of Falls or Indicators of Fear?Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 1997
- Unified theory regarding A/P and M/L balance in quiet stanceJournal of Neurophysiology, 1996
- Random Walking during Quiet StandingPhysical Review Letters, 1994