Postural Control and Motor Learning

where the line of gravity sits anterior to joint axis

cervical, thoracic, knee, and ankle region

where the line of gravity sits posterior to joint axis

lumbar and hip region

intrinsic systems involved with motor control

vestibular system, visual system, proprioception

postural orientation

ability to maintain an alignment between body parts and between the body and environment to perform a task

sensory integration

the process by which the brain receives, organizes, and responds to internal/external information

sensory re-weighting

process by which the sensory contributions to balance control are adjusted based on context and past experience

biomechanical constraints of balance

muscle function, range of motion, posture, and pain

ankle balance strategy

minor movements at the ankle used to adjust to minor perturbations; muscles recruited distal to proximal

hip balance strategy

swaying of the hips to adjust to major perturbations; muscles recruited proximal to distal

stepping balance strategy

adjusting the base of support to prevent falling

suspensory balance strategy

bending forward in order to lower center of gravity

anticipatory postural control

postural adjustments made before a movement

reactive postural control

ability to recover stability from an external perturbation

cognitive stage

first stage in motor learning, conveyance and acquisition of new info about a task

associative stage

second stage of motor learning, practicing the individual components and putting them together

autonomous stage

third stage of motor learning, mastery of task with minor adjustments only