Postural Control, Standing

Question 1

What is the “Center of Gravity” (COG)?

A) The point where the mass of the body is concentrated
B) The distance between the feet while standing
C) The pressure applied to the floor by the body
D) The ability to stand without falling

Answer 1

A) The point where the mass of the body is concentrated

Question 2

What is “Postural Set”?

A) The posture maintained during a static activity
B) The body’s readiness to support and adjust for anticipated movement
C) A type of exercise for trunk control
D) A clinical test for sensory integration

Answer 2

B) The body’s readiness to support and adjust for anticipated movement

Question 3

What does “Limits of Stability” refer to?

A) The ability to balance during walking
B) The maximum distance one can lean in any direction without losing balance
C) The height of a person’s center of mass
D) The ability to walk in a straight line

Answer 3

B) The maximum distance one can lean in any direction without losing balance

Question 4

Which part of the CNS is primarily responsible for coordinating balance and motor control?

A) Cerebellum
B) Frontal lobe
C) Occipital lobe
D) Parietal lobe

Answer 4

A) Cerebellum

Question 5

Which sensory system detects head position relative to gravity?

A) Visual
B) Vestibular
C) Proprioceptive
D) Auditory

Answer 5

B) Vestibular

Question 6

What role does proprioception play in postural control?

A) Detects body position and movement through sensory feedback from muscles and joints
B) Provides visual information about the environment
C) Regulates heart rate during movement
D) Controls hand-eye coordination

Answer 6

A) Detects body position and movement through sensory feedback from muscles and joints

Question 7

What type of postural reaction is primarily involved when a person adjusts their balance using ankle movements?

A) Stepping reaction
B) Ankle strategy
C) Hip strategy
D) Flexion reflex

Answer 7

B) Ankle strategy

Question 8

Which postural reaction involves larger movements of the hips to control balance?

A) Ankle strategy
B) Hip strategy
C) Stepping reaction
D) Knee flexion

Answer 8

B) Hip strategy

Question 9

What is the “Stepping Strategy” used for?

A) To control balance in small, subtle movements
B) To regain balance by taking a step when pushed off-center
C) To maintain balance by shifting weight to the arms
D) To prevent slipping on a surface

Answer 9

B) To regain balance by taking a step when pushed off-center

Question 10

Which standardized test evaluates balance through a series of 14 tasks scored on a 0-4 Likert scale?

A) Timed Up and Go (TUG)
B) Functional Reach Test (FRT)
C) Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
D) Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA)

Answer 10

C) Berg Balance Scale (BBS)

Question 11

What is the normal time cutoff for older adults in the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test to indicate a greater risk of falls?

A) 7 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 12 seconds
D) 15 seconds

Answer 11

C) 12 seconds

Question 12

What is assessed by the Functional Reach Test (FRT)?

A) A person’s ability to walk in a straight line
B) The maximum distance a person can reach forward while maintaining balance
C) Strength of upper extremities during standing tasks
D) Dynamic balance during sit-to-stand transitions

Answer 12

B) The maximum distance a person can reach forward while maintaining balance

Question 13

Which test includes both a balance section and a gait section to evaluate postural control?

A) Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
B) Functional Reach Test (FRT)
C) Timed Up and Go (TUG)
D) Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA)

Answer 13

D) Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA)

Question 14

What is a key consideration in evaluating coordination during standing balance tasks?

A) Range of motion in upper limbs
B) Synergistic movements to restore equilibrium
C) Visual acuity
D) Reaction time of hands

Answer 14

B) Synergistic movements to restore equilibrium

Question 15

What does “Base of Support” (BOS) refer to in postural control?

A) The area under the feet that supports the body’s weight
B) The distance between a person’s arms when reaching forward
C) The height of the individual’s center of mass
D) The force required to maintain balance during a fall

Answer 15

A) The area under the feet that supports the body’s weight

Question 16

What does “Real vs. Perceived Limits of Stability” mean in postural control?

A) The comparison between actual balance control and what the patient believes they can achieve
B) The comparison of balance while seated vs. standing
C) The discrepancy between functional reach and walking distance
D) A clinical measure of strength and endurance

Answer 16

A) The comparison between actual balance control and what the patient believes they can achieve

Question 17

Which sensory input is most important when balancing in a dark room?

A) Vestibular
B) Visual
C) Proprioceptive
D) Auditory

Answer 17

A) Vestibular

Question 18

What is task analysis in the context of postural control?

A) A method of analyzing physical and cognitive components of tasks to optimize performance
B) A treatment intervention to increase cardiovascular endurance
C) An observation method used to assess strength during gait
D) A clinical test to measure sensation in the limbs

Answer 18

A) A method of analyzing physical and cognitive components of tasks to optimize performance

Question 19

Why is it important to evaluate fatigue during postural control tasks?

A) Fatigue can significantly impact balance and coordination
B) Fatigue only affects upper body strength
C) Fatigue has no impact on balance in postural control tasks
D) Fatigue improves endurance and balance during tasks

Answer 19

A) Fatigue can significantly impact balance and coordination

Question 20

Which IADL is commonly used to assess standing balance in the clinical setting?

A) Making a sandwich
B) Writing a letter
C) Washing dishes while standing
D) Brushing teeth while seated

Answer 20

C) Washing dishes while standing

Question 21

Which functional task involves assessing postural control while moving from sitting to standing?

A) Sit-to-Stand test
B) Tinetti Balance Test
C) Functional Reach Test
D) Timed Up and Go

Answer 21

A) Sit-to-Stand test

Question 22

What is a key difference between neurological and non-neurological conditions in postural control evaluation?
A) Neurological conditions primarily affect upper body strength, while non-neurological conditions affect lower body strength
B) Neurological conditions involve coordination and sensory deficits, while non-neurological conditions are primarily related to musculoskeletal issues
C) Non-neurological conditions always result in better balance
D) Neurological conditions do not affect gait or posture

Answer 22

B) Neurological conditions involve coordination and sensory deficits, while non-neurological conditions are primarily related to musculoskeletal issues

Question 23

Which of the following diagnoses would most likely require a postural control evaluation?

A) Stroke
B) Headache
C) Carpal tunnel syndrome
D) Hypertension

Answer 23

A) Stroke

Question 24

Which factor is critical for maintaining postural stability when standing on an unstable surface?

A) Strength of the hand muscles
B) Coordination between proprioception, vision, and vestibular systems
C) Reaction time of the knee reflexes
D) Muscle size

Answer 24

Answer: B) Coordination between proprioception, vision, and vestibular

Question 25

What role does the basal ganglia play in postural control?

A) It controls voluntary muscle movements and helps regulate posture and balance through motor learning
B) It processes sensory information related to visual balance
C) It is responsible for interpreting auditory stimuli
D) It maintains heart rate and breathing during physical activities

Answer 25

A) It controls voluntary muscle movements and helps regulate posture and balance through motor learning

Question 26

What is the function of the brainstem in postural control?

A) It integrates vestibular and visual inputs to help maintain balance
B) It controls conscious thought and voluntary actions
C) It stores long-term memories related to motor control
D) It is the primary center for controlling muscle strength

Answer 26

A) It integrates vestibular and visual inputs to help maintain balance

Question 27

What is the “force of gravity” in relation to postural control?

A) The tendency of objects to float in water
B) The force that pulls the body towards the ground and affects balance and posture
C) The amount of energy needed to lift an object
D) The ability to move against external forces

Answer 27

B) The force that pulls the body towards the ground and affects balance and posture

Question 28

What does “line of gravity” refer to in standing posture?

A) The vertical line passing through the center of mass toward the ground
B) The angle at which a person can lean forward
C) The distance between the legs during walking
D) The length of time a person can stand without moving

Answer 28

A) The vertical line passing through the center of mass toward the ground

Question 29

What is the definition of “balance” in postural control?

A) The ability to maintain the body’s center of gravity over its base of support
B) The capacity to walk long distances without tiring
C) The strength required to lift heavy objects
D) The speed at which the body can react to external stimuli

Answer 29

A) The ability to maintain the body’s center of gravity over its base of support

Question 30

On the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), what does a score below 45 indicate in older adults?

A) A greater risk of falls
B) Perfect balance control
C) Ability to perform highly dynamic tasks
D) No issues with postural control

Answer 30

A) A greater risk of falls

Question 31

In the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, what score indicates a high risk of falls in older adults?

A) More than 12 seconds
B) Less than 3 seconds
C) Exactly 10 seconds
D) More than 20 seconds

Answer 31

A) More than 12 seconds

Question 32

What is the clinical importance of the Functional Reach Test (FRT) in older adults with scores less than 7 inches?

A) It indicates limited mobility and a higher risk of falls
B) It demonstrates strong balance and mobility skills
C) It suggests that the individual has excellent flexibility
D) It shows increased risk of arm weakness

Answer 32

A) It indicates limited mobility and a higher risk of falls

Question 33

In what situation would a “hip strategy” be used to regain balance?

A) When small, slow movements are required to maintain balance
B) When the base of support is narrow and the person needs larger, quick movements to maintain balance
C) When standing on a stable surface with no external disturbances
D) When balancing requires the use of hands to stabilize

Answer 33

B) When the base of support is narrow and the person needs larger, quick movements to maintain balance

Question 34

What is the primary difference between ankle and stepping strategies for balance recovery?

A) The ankle strategy uses only the feet to maintain balance, while the stepping strategy involves taking a step to expand the base of support
B) The stepping strategy is used for small disturbances, while the ankle strategy is for large disturbances
C) Both strategies involve leaning forward to regain balance
D) The ankle strategy uses the arms, while the stepping strategy uses the legs

Answer 34

A) The ankle strategy uses only the feet to maintain balance, while the stepping strategy involves taking a step to expand the base of support

Question 35

In postural control evaluations, what distinguishes a non-neurological condition from a neurological one?

A) Non-neurological conditions are primarily related to musculoskeletal issues, while neurological conditions involve sensory and coordination deficits
B) Non-neurological conditions are more severe than neurological conditions
C) Neurological conditions only affect the upper body
D) Non-neurological conditions do not affect balance at all

Answer 35

A) Non-neurological conditions are primarily related to musculoskeletal issues, while neurological conditions involve sensory and coordination deficits

Question 36

Which of the following conditions is typically classified as non-neurological in postural evaluations?

A) Osteoarthritis
B) Stroke
C) Parkinson’s disease
D) Multiple sclerosis

Answer 36

A) Osteoarthritis

Question 37

Which sensory system provides the fastest response for balance in a well-lit environment?

A) Vestibular system
B) Visual system
C) Auditory system
D) Proprioceptive system

Answer 37

B) Visual system

Question 38

What is the goal of sensory strategy training in postural control?

A) To improve cardiovascular endurance
B) To enhance the use of available sensory information to maintain balance
C) To focus on increasing upper body strength
D) To develop faster hand-eye coordination

Answer 38

B) To enhance the use of available sensory information to maintain balance

Question 39

In postural control evaluations, why is task analysis important?

A) It allows clinicians to break down tasks into physical and cognitive components to assess and treat balance
B) It is used to measure a person’s maximum strength
C) It focuses solely on walking patterns
D) It ensures patients follow a standardized exercise routine

Answer 39

A) It allows clinicians to break down tasks into physical and cognitive components to assess and treat balance