Postural responses to yaw rotation of support surface

The purposes of this study were to investigate EMG and kinematic responses to yaw rotation of a support surface. Twenty people participated in four conditions, i.e., two velocities (240°/s, 120°/s) and two amplitudes (30°, 15°). Longer latency and smaller muscle responses were induced for yaw rotation, and distal ankle and knee muscles were activated earlier than trunk and neck muscles. Joint kinematics demonstrated larger angular displacements in axial rotation. Velocity and amplitude did not affect onset latency or magnitude of muscle activation but had significant effects on joint movements and COM displacements. Preliminary information about normative data of healthy subjects was obtained, and questions were generated about optimal velocity and amplitude test protocols that require further investigation.

► EMG and kinematic responses to yaw rotational perturbation were examined. ► Longer latency and smaller muscle responses were induced for yaw rotation. ► The larger angular displacements were elicited in axial rotation. ► Velocity and amplitude had significant effects on joint and COM displacements. ► The stiffening strategy was used to control balance for yaw rotation.