Human balance control during cutaneous stimulation of the plantar soles

doi:10.1016/S0304-3940(01)01655-X

Neuroscience Letters

Volume 302, Issue 1, 13 April 2001, Pages 45-48

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3940(01)01655-X Get rights and content

Abstract

Previous work on human postural control of upright stance, performed in the absence of visual and vestibular orientation cues, suggests that somatosensory cues in the feet enable subjects to maintain equilibrium during low-frequency platform tilts. Here we confirm earlier studies which indicated that stimulation of plantar cutaneous mechanoreceptors can lead to postural responses. Yet, this stimulation did not modify considerably the postural reactions of normal subjects and vestibular loss patients during platform tilts. We therefore suggest that it is necessary to differentiate between (i) cues from plantar cutaneous receptors involved in exteroceptive functions, like the evaluation of the support structure or of relative foot-to-surface motion, and (ii) cues from deep receptors which subserve proprioceptive functions like the control of center of pressure shifts within the limits of the foot support base.

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Acknowledgements

Supported by DFG, Me 715/4–3 and DLR, SLA-004–99.

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Human balance control during cutaneous stimulation of the plantar soles

Abstract

Section snippets

Acknowledgements

Brain Res.

Neurosci. Lett.

Neurosci. Lett.

Random Data: Analysis and Measurement Procedures

Regulation of bipedal stance: dependency on ‘load‘ receptors

Exp. Brain Res.

Postural strategies associated with somatosensory and vestibular loss

Exp. Brain Res.