Article

The extrapolated center of mass (XCoM), a valuable tool to assess balance
stability, involves defining the whole body center of mass (CoMWB). However,
accurate three-dimensional estimation of the CoMWB is time consuming, a severe
limitation in certain applications. In this study, twenty-four subjects (young
and elderly, male and female) performed three different balance tasks: quiet
standing, gait and balance recovery. Three different models, based on a segmental
method, were used to estimate the three-dimensional CoMWB absolute position
during these movements: a reference model based on 38 markers, a simplified
13-marker model and a single marker (sacral) model. CoMWB and XCoM estimations
from the proposed simplified model came closer to the reference model than
estimations from the sacral marker model. It remained accurate for dynamic tasks,
where the sacral marker model proved inappropriate. The simplified model proposed
here yields accurate three-dimensional estimation of both the CoMWB and the XCoM
with a limited number of markers. Importantly, using this model would reduce the
experimental and post-processing times for future balance studies assessing
dynamic stability in humans.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS