An investigation of sensory reweighting in balance recovery among elite athletes.

摘要

Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation was used to probe the contribution of somatosensory information during balance recovery between elite athletes and healthy controls. Participants underwent a forward lean and release postural perturbations, where feet-in-place and stepping balance recovery responses were induced. Whole body Center of Mass (COM) and Center of Pressure (COP) excursions were calculated. No difference was found between the groups in peak COM and COP excursions with feet-in-place responses. Athletes demonstrated lower peak COM, but not COP, excursions during stepping. It was found that athletes' trunk angle excursions were also smaller during stepping. Even though athletes did not up-regulate the use of somatosensory system, they demonstrated superior balance recovery ability by maintaining a tighter control of their COM during stepping. The tighter control of COM demonstrated by athletes may be attributed to the superior control of trunk position by maintaining a more erect trunk posture during stepping.