Directional Measures of Postural Sway Applied to the Diagnostic of Postural Stability in the Population of Adult Women with Different Body Mass Index

Abstract

Neuromechanical control of human erect posture is commonly modeled as an inverted pendulum which dynamics depend on the body's anthropometry, particularly on body height and weight. From a perspective of neuromechanics, neuromuscular control in individuals with excessive body weight is primarily determined by the universal requirement for optimization of the energetic cost of movement. This forces elimination from the behavior of the most energy-consuming movements. Additional reason for reduced motor activity in individuals with excessive body weight might be the associated decline of postural stability. This problem becomes an inspiration for the present research.