Postural after-effects of stepping on an inclined surface.

Full Abstract

In previous studies, blindfolded, healthy subjects exhibited an after-effect of leaning while standing on a horizontal surface after a period of standing on an inclined surface. We investigated whether this kinesthetic after-effect would transfer from one task to another by asking blindfolded subjects to stand on a horizontal surface after stepping-in-place on an incline. Results showed that all subjects demonstrated a forward trunk leaning after-effect lasting from half a minute to over 6 min after stepping on a 10 degrees -toes-up incline for 2.5 min. For 5/7 subjects, the amplitude of the leaning after-effect was very similar following stepping or standing on the inclined surface. The similarity of the post-incline lean between the standing and stepping conditions suggests a common underlying mechanism for the after-effect following standing and walking on a gradient and suggests that prolonged maintenance of a constant ankle or leg posture is not a prerequisite condition for the after-effect. The transfer of a postural effect built-up during a locomotor task to a postural after-effect during a standing task is consistent with a central adaptive mechanism that adjusts the surface-referenced set point for whole body postural orientation for both gait and posture.

Author information

Author/s: Kluzik, JoAnn (J); Horak, Fay B (FB); Peterka, Robert J (RJ);

Affiliation: Neurological Sciences Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006-3499, USA. kluzikj(-atsign-)bu.edu

Grants: AG 006457 (Agency:NIA NIH HHS) ; AG 17960 (Agency:NIA NIH HHS) ; DC 04082 (Agency:NIDCD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neuroscience letters (Neurosci Lett), published in Ireland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Feb; vol 413 (issue 2) : pp 93-8

Dates: Created 2007/02/05; Completed 2007/04/11; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 17166666, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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