Article

This paper focused on the relationship between active muscular tension along the
torso and postural equilibrium while standing. Eleven healthy male subjects
underwent a posturographic examination associated with a bimanual compression of
a dynamometric bar, which was used to set the torso muscular activity at three
different levels (0MVC, 20MVC, 40MVC). Electromyographic pre-tests identified the
main superficial muscles of the compressive load as : pectoralis major, latissimus
dorsi, thoracic and lumbar erector spinae. Kinematics of the chest wall was
recorded by means of two sensing belts, in order to assess the respiratory
component of the center of pressure (CP) signal.
The analysis of time-domain
stabilometric parameters showed that CP displacements were larger and faster in
40MVC that in 20MVC, with no variation between 0MVC and 20MVC. The respiratory
component of the CP signal was not sensitive to the compressive load. It was
concluded that increased muscular tension along the torso is likely to disturb
postural equilibrium, but only when it exceeds a given level.
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Langue : ANGLAIS