Postural Control Flashcards
Why is postural control important in physical therapy?
Postural control is essential for movement and activities of daily living such as standing, walking, and climbing stairs.
How does postural control relate to skilled movements?
Good posture and balance are necessary for executing finer skilled movements, such as painting, where core stability is important.
What types of patients do physical therapists work with regarding balance?
Physical therapists treat patients with varying levels of balance abilities, from those with extremely poor balance to athletes with excellent balance.
Why is understanding the science of postural control crucial for physical therapists?
It allows therapists to apply evidence-based practices, understand the neural basis of balance, and assess and treat balance disorders effectively.
What is the significance of evidence-based practice in physical therapy?
Evidence-based practice relies on research findings to inform clinical decision-making and treatment strategies for balance and postural control.
What foundational knowledge do physical therapists need for assessing balance?
Therapists need to understand the tests and measures necessary to evaluate balance control and the factors contributing to imbalance.
What are the key components of this part of the lecture on postural control?
The basic science of motor control, the biomechanical basis of posture, systems involved in postural control, and principles of assessment and treatment based on the movement system framework.
How does postural control relate to the movement system framework?
Postural control is a crucial aspect of the movement system framework that informs assessment and treatment strategies for patients.
What are the two main parts of postural control?
Postural orientation and postural stability.
Define postural orientation.
The ability to maintain a favorable relationship between different body segments and between the body and the environment.
What is the purpose of postural control?
To control the body’s position in space for stability and orientation.
What does postural stability refer to?
The ability to control the center of mass in relation to the base of support.
How does postural orientation relate to task performance?
Good postural orientation is task-dependent; the alignment of body segments must be appropriate for the specific task being performed.
What is the difference between static and dynamic balance?
Static balance refers to maintaining a steady posture, while dynamic balance involves maintaining stability while the center of gravity and base of support are moving.
What is functional balance?
The ability to perform daily movement tasks that require balance, involving both static and dynamic balance.
How are postural orientation and postural stability interrelated?
Changes in postural orientation can affect postural stability, as alignment influences the control of the center of mass relative to the base of support.
What happens to postural orientation during a task that requires maintaining stability?
The focus shifts to maintaining stability, which may alter the postural orientation to achieve that goal.
Describe the impact of a forward bent posture on stability.
A forward bent posture shifts the line of gravity anteriorly within the base of support, compromising stability and increasing the risk of falls.
How can postural stability be regained if it is compromised?
By changing postural orientation, such as adjusting body segments to bring the center of mass back over the base of support.
Why is it important to consider task requirements when assessing postural control?
Task requirements influence both postural orientation and stability, making it crucial for evaluating and developing effective treatment strategies.
What are the key biomechanical constructs related to postural control?
Base of support, center of gravity, center of pressure, and stability limits.
Define base of support.
The area of the body in contact with the support surface; larger base of support equals more stability.
How does base of support change when moving from sitting to standing?
The base of support reduces significantly, leading to potential balance issues.
What is the center of mass?
The point at which the total body mass is concentrated, typically around the L2 vertebral level in standing humans.
Differentiate between center of mass and center of gravity.
Center of mass is a three-dimensional point in space, while center of gravity is the vertical projection of the center of mass onto a two-dimensional plane (ground).
How does the height of the center of mass affect stability?
A higher center of mass reduces stability, while a lower center of mass increases stability due to the moment arm effect.
What is center of pressure?
The point of application of the ground reaction force vector, reflecting the net distribution of forces applied to the support surface.
What is the relationship between center of gravity and base of support?
When the center of gravity is within the base of support, stability is greater; when it is outside, stability is compromised.
Define stability limits.
The boundaries within which the body can maintain stability without changing the base of support.
How do position and velocity of the center of mass influence stability limits?
Stability limits are determined by both the position and velocity of the center of mass; if either exceeds certain thresholds, a step may be necessary to maintain balance.
Why might patients with poor balance move slowly?
They may slow their movement to minimize center of mass velocity, thereby enhancing stability.
What clinical implication arises from understanding center of mass velocity?
Testing and assessing balance should be conducted at different speeds to accurately gauge a patient’s balance abilities.
What model is being used to discuss postural control?
The dynamical systems model.
