The study of CoM is very important, mainly to investigate the coordination between posture and movement. It's an interesting device which can help us to identify, for exemple, the postural control, the postural adjustments, or the overall subject's behavior through analysis of body segments. However, how can we interpret the CoM data results? In this specific case, amplitude and speed in A/P or M/L directions.
Hi Marcelo,
your interpretation could be directly associated with the quantification of the COM displacements in both directions (i.e., in a Romberg test with closed eyes, you should detect greater COM displacements and adjustments in both directions than with opened eyes).
There are several methods to quantify postural control (i.e. stabilogram analyses). I did a work some time ago on this matter but it is in spanish (i attach it).
Best,
Research Análisis del Sistema de Control Postural mediante técnicas d...
Hi Marcelo
For ageing and pathology we use accelerometry data (instrumented testing) to examine Jerk (rate of change), Root Mean Squared (RMS - magnitude), Ellipses (area), Frequency in the 95%. Check out the work by Martina Mancini and Fay Horak in the US and my colleague Silvia Del Din for some novel with standing bout testing looking at the rate of change of those variables over time. (Combined or in separate planes of movement)
To interpret your outcomes you need to understand the vestibular system and how it can become impaired in relation to your research question - what are your hypotheses? Once you are clear on those the outcomes will align. Furthermore there has been work done on instrumented testing within the NIH Toolbox work, Google that for more.
Hope that helps
Alan
Hi Marcelo,
As mentioned in the other responses, there are a number of outcomes which can be used to assess the COP, as a surrogate for COM. Most of these same outcomes can be applied directly to the movements of the COM as well. But to your question of how to interpret the movement and speed of the COM, it depends on the lens through which you are looking. For example, using a more traditional paradigm (i.e. linear measures such as velocity or sway) greater sway and/or greater sway velocity would be interpreted as worse balance due to the individual's inability to control their COM. However, non-linear paradigms (e.g. time-to-boundary, entropy) view variability as a natural and needed function of a healthy organism. Having said that, research has suggested that their may be a healthy level of variability while too little or too much may be indicative of a constrained sensorimotor system.
I hope this helps
Erik
Dear Marcelo,
I use all parameters form footplate to explore balance and postural control in static and dynamic regime. It could be very useful if you evaluate COM, COP, amplitude and speed in AP or ML directions in one picture as one segment during still standing (single or double leg). You can define person abilities and strengths in core; weakness in strength of core or weakness in transition of strength (core) to foot. You could see some injuries of knee or weakness in lateral or frontal movement. When you have result in static, you can use some movement and evaluate APA to evaluate different kind of postural stability. Progression in diagnostic of these elements are important to understand balance and control. For every test, use protocol with sci background.
best regards, Dragan
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