Biomechanical aspects of dynamic stability

Abstract

Walking is a fundamental motor skill that significantly affects the level of independence in older adults. The amount of variability present in a walking pattern reflects the quality of neuromuscular control. It is well established that a large proportion of falls in older people occurs when walking. The prevention of falls is vital for minimizing disability, preventing injury, and impeding the development of frailty and subsequent deterioration in quality of life. The present literature review focuses on dynamic stability. In dynamic stability, both the base of support and the center of mass are in motion, and effective balance function is required. In general, older adults are expected to have different movement patterns from younger adults, expressed by differences in limb kinematics and kinetics. A better understanding of the biomechanical variables involved can help anticipate and prevent potential falls.

The effect of attentional focus in balancing tasks: A systematic review with meta-analysis

“…Balance is classified into two types, static and dynamic balance. Static balance, also known as postural balance, is the ability to maintain the body's center of gravity over a base of support with minimal movement without falling (Bressel, Yonker, Kras, & Heath, 2007;Hrysomallis, 2007;Meyer & Ayalon, 2006). Dynamic balance is the ability to perform a movement without falling while the base of support and the center of mass are in motion.…”

Effects of cognitive versus motor dual-task on spatiotemporal gait parameters in healthy controls and multiple sclerosis patients with and without fall history

“…Indeed, increased walk ratio score may indicate a strategy adopted by the neuromuscular system to adapt walking performance in the face of cognitive challenge. Furthermore, decreased variability in stride length and step width exhibits enhanced automaticity and stability in gait (Decker et al, 2016;Lovden et al, 2008;Meyer and Ayalon, 2006). Taken together, it seems that participants successfully adapted their gait pattern to maintain cognitive performance, because this strategy would serve more cognitive resources for the accurate performance of cognitive task (Li et al, 2012;Lovden et al, 2008).…”

Equimetrix Device: Criteria Based Validation and Reliability Analysis of the Center of Mass and Base of Support of a Human Postural Assessment System

“…To keep a proper postural control during quasi-static erect position, the body’s Center of Mass (CoM) vertical projection must be within the lower limb’s defined Base of Support (BoS) [ 6 , 7 ]. Due to the principle of free energy [ 8 ], the systems responsible for the postural regulation and balance will try to match vertically the CoM with the Center of Pressure (CoP), which represents the point of application of the ground reaction forces.…”