Affiliation:
1. Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Woosuk University, 443 Samnye-ro, Samnye-eup, Wanju-gun 55338, Republic of Korea
2. Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare Sciences, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
3. University-Industrial Cooperation Corps of HiVE Center, Wonkwang Health Science University, 514, Iksan-daero, Iksan-si 54538, Republic of Korea
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of different surface conditions on postural stability in response to unexpected perturbations. Thirty healthy adults underwent balance assessments on flat, incline ramp, balance pad, and balance pad on incline ramp surfaces. The center of pressure (COP) displacement in the mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) directions, the velocity, and the area were measured. We found that the flat and ramp conditions resulted in significantly lower COP ML (F(3, 87) = 38.272, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.569) and AP displacements (F(3, 87) = 89.177, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.755), velocity (F(3, 87) = 89.177, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.755), and area (F(3, 87) = 52.659, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.645) compared to the balance pad and balance pad on ramp conditions (p < 0.05). The use of a balance pad, particularly on a ramp, significantly increased all the COP measurements, suggesting greater challenges to postural control. Through these findings, we demonstrate the adaptability and limitations of the human postural control system in response to varying surface conditions and perturbations.
Funder
Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea