Postural destabilization induced by trunk extensor muscles fatigue is suppressed by use of a plantar pressure-based electro-tactile biofeedback.

Full Abstract

Separate studies have reported that postural control during quiet standing could be (1) impaired with muscle fatigue localized at the lower back, and (2) improved through the use of plantar pressure-based electro-tactile biofeedback, under normal neuromuscular state. The aim of this experiment was to investigate whether this biofeedback could reduce postural destabilization induced by trunk extensor muscles. Ten healthy adults were asked to stand as immobile as possible in four experimental conditions:
(1) no fatigue/no biofeedback, (2) no fatigue/biofeedback, (3) fatigue/no biofeedback and (4) fatigue/biofeedback. Muscular fatigue was achieved by performing trunk repetitive extensions until maximal exhaustion. The underlying principle of the biofeedback consisted of providing supplementary information related to foot sole pressure distribution through electro-tactile stimulation of the tongue. Centre of foot pressure (CoP) displacements were recorded using a force platform. Results showed (1) increased CoP displacements along the antero-posterior axis in the fatigue than no fatigue condition in the absence of biofeedback and (2) no significant difference between the no fatigue and fatigue conditions in the presence of biofeedback. This suggests that subjects were able to efficiently integrate an artificial plantar pressure information delivered through electro-tactile stimulation of the tongue that allowed them to suppress the destabilizing effect induced by trunk extensor muscles fatigue.

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Author information

Author/s: Vuillerme, Nicolas (N); Pinsault, Nicolas (N); Chenu, Olivier (O); Fleury, Anthony (A); Payan, Yohan (Y); Demongeot, Jacques (J);

Affiliation: Faculté de Médecine, Laboratoire TIMC-IMAG, UMR UJF CNRS 5525, La Tronche cédex, France. nicolas.vuillerme(-atsign-)imag.fr

Journal and publication information

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

Journal: European journal of applied physiology (Eur J Appl Physiol), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Sep; vol 104 (issue 1) : pp 119-25

Dates: Created 2008/06/25; Completed 2008/08/21;

PMID: 18506472, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Biofeedback (Psychology)
Foot - innervation
Humans
Male
Muscle Contraction
Muscle Fatigue

Muscle Fatigue
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Posture
Pressure
Proprioception
Tongue - innervation
Touch

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