This study explored how a HMD-experienced virtual environment influences physical balance of six balance-impaired adults 59-69 years-of-age, when compared to a control group of eight nonbalance-impaired adults, 18-28 years-of-age. The setup included a Microsoft Kinect and a selfcreated balance board controlling a skiing game. Two tests were conducted: full-vision versus blindfolded and HMD vers...

Background Functional ankle instability (FAI) has been reported to be associated with sensorimotor deficits which could result in impaired balance [1] and altered foot kinematics [2]. Textured insoles that increase plantar cutaneous afferent information may compensate for a deficit of sensory input in FAI, improving postural control and reduce the risk of injury. Also, a lateral plantar wedge w...

Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) is reported among the risk factors for falls (Richardson and Hurvitz 1995). It is also reported that postural sway of individuals with peripheral neuropathy increases substantially (Horak, Dickstein et al. 2002) which is interpreted by many as the state of instability (Jeka 1997; Dickstein, Shupert et al. 2001) that may lead to falls. Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are co...

Objectives: Deterioration in postural control mechanisms is termed postural instability and results increased postural sway and many laboratory techniques and instruments are characterized by a wide range of neurological signs and symptoms to the medical management. Thus the current study designed to assess the reliability of commonly used clinical measures of balance and determined normal valu...

Objectives: Deterioration in postural control mechanisms is termed postural instability and results increased postural sway and many laboratory techniques and instruments are characterized by a wide range of neurological signs and symptoms to the medical management. Thus the current study designed to assess the reliability of commonly used clinical measures of balance and determined normal valu...

Gait initiation (GI) involves a shift from a static, stable state to a destabilizing, dynamic state of locomotion. It is a challenging task that demands balance and postural control due to a decreasing base of support, from a two leg stance to an alternating single leg stance. GI is a complex transition phase consisting of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) that provide the momentum neede...

Postural reflex activity during unperceived perturbation of standing was investigated in 38 elderly subjects (70-96 years old) and 10 younger adults (19-48 years old), and it was related in the elderly group to a history of unexplained falling in the 12 months prior to testing. Ankle torque (T) and ankle angle (A) were recorded during unperceived forward pulls to obtain the ankle stiffness (Del...

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine whether obesity is associated with less postural stability in young adults, and whether it is influenced by anterior pelvic tilt angle and sensory dysfunction. METHODS Center of gravity (COG) velocity and total sway distance with eyes open or eyes closed on firm or foam floors were determined in 12 obese individuals and 12 individuals with...

The aim of this study was to determine balance problems and severity and ratio of postural instability of newly diagnosed, early stage Parkinson's patients who did not receive any antiparkinson treatment before, to evaluate fall risk clinically and posturographically and to examine the effects of pramipexole on these signs and symptoms. Detailed posturographic assessments which involved central...

When a toddler starts to walk without support, gait kinematics and electromyographic (EMG) activity differ from those of older children and the body displays considerable oscillations due to poor equilibrium. Postural instability clearly affects motor patterns in adults, but does instability explain why toddlers walk with a different gait? Here we addressed this question by comparing kinematics...