In the aging population, fall risk has been highly associated with a reduction in balance abilities.
For this reason, our lab uses several paradigms to probe age-related changes in postural control as well as reactionary responses.
These paradigms include:
- Tether-release studies (which simulate tripping scenarios) - these have examined foot-in-place and stepping responses in young and old populations.
- Crouching and kneeling tasks - these have been used to investigate balance control during activities of daily living that involve changes in posture and base of support.
- Field studies using Wii boards - these have been completed in assisted-living facilities to examine balance control in settings outside of the traditional laboratory. For these studies, relationships between the centre of mass, centre of pressure, and base of support are often key components used to examine factors that affect postural stability.
The instrumentation from a tether-release study looking at how changing trunk stiffness affects balance control.
The Visual 3D model and force plate tracing associated with the participant pictured on the left.
See other Research areas.