Dynamic Regulation of Sensorimotor Integration in Human Postural Control

• Published in: Journal of neurophysiology 2004-01, Vol.91 (1), p.410-423
• Main Authors: Peterka, Robert J, Loughlin, Patrick J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Adult; Biofeedback, Psychology - physiology; Computer Simulation; Female; Habituation, Psychophysiologic; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Biological; Motor Activity - physiology; Postural Balance; Posture - physiology; Proprioception - physiology; Spectrum Analysis; Time Factors; Torque
• ISSN: 0022-3077; 1522-1598
• DOI: 10.1152/jn.00516.2003

1 Neurological Sciences Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97006; and 2 Departments of Electrical Engineering and Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260 Submitted 28 May 2003; accepted in final form 10 September 2003 Upright stance in humans is inherently unstable, requiring corrective action based on spatial-orientation information from sensory systems. One might logically predict that environments providing access to accurate orientation information from multiple sensory systems would facilitate postural stability. However, we show that, after a period in which access to accurate sensory information was reduced, the restoration of accurate information disrupted postural stability. In eyes-closed trials, proprioceptive information was altered by rotating the support surface in proportion to body sway (support surface "sway-referencing"). When the support surface returned to a level orientation, most subjects developed a transient 1-Hz body sway oscillation that differed significantly from the low-amplitude body sway typically observed during quiet stance. Additional experiments showed further enhancement of the 1-Hz oscillation when the surface transitioned from a sway-referenced to a reverse sway-referenced motion. Oscillatory behavior declined with repetition of trials, suggesting a learning effect. A simple negative feedback-control model of the postural control system predicted the occurrence of this 1-Hz oscillation in conditions where too much corrective torque is generated in proportion to body sway. Model simulations were used to distinguish between two alternative explanations for the excessive corrective torque generation. Simulation results favor an explanation based on the dynamic reweighting of sensory contributions to postural control rather than a load-compensation mechanism that scales torque in proportion to a fixed combination of sensory-orientation information. Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: R. J. Peterka, Neurological Sciences Institute, OHSU West Campus, Bldg. 1, 505 NW 185 th Ave., Beaverton, OR 97006 (E-mail: peterkar{at}ohsu.edu ).