Automatic Postural Strategies

What are the four major automatic postural strategies?

• Ankle strategy

• Hip strategy

• Suspensory strategy

• Stepping strategy

When is the ankle strategy used?

• Small perturbations

• Slow perturbations

• Feet remain on the ground

• Typically used with a stable base of support

What is the muscle activation pattern during the ankle strategy?

• Distal → proximal

• Muscle activation begins around the ankle

When is the hip strategy used?

• Greater/larger perturbations

• More challenging perturbations

• Often used when ankle strategy is insufficient

• Hips move opposite the direction of the head to maintain balance

What is the muscle activation pattern during the hip strategy?

• Proximal → distal

• Muscle activation begins around the hip/trunk

What is the suspensory strategy?

• Lowers the center of gravity

• Improves control of the center of gravity

• May involve:

  • Knee flexion

  • Crouching

  • Squatting

When is the stepping strategy used?

• Center of gravity moves beyond the base of support

• Used after unexpected or large perturbations

• Lower extremity steps to regain balance

• Upper extremity may reach for support

• Creates a new base of support

How do you distinguish ankle, hip, suspensory, and stepping strategies?

• Ankle: small + slow perturbation

• Hip: larger/more forceful perturbation

• Suspensory: lowers center of gravity

• Stepping: center of gravity moves beyond base of support