Theoretical prediction of the role of co-contraction during balance recovery in elderly

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26750344
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Applied health science
• Research Institution: Hyogo University of Health Sciences
• Principal Investigator: NAGAI Koutatsu 兵庫医療大学, リハビリテーション学部, 講師 (00633348)
• Research Collaborator: OGAYA Shinya 大阪府立大学, 大学院総合リハビリテーション学研究科, 助教 (90611426) ; TSUBOYAMA Tadao 京都大学, 大学院医学研究科, 教授 (90261221)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 同時収縮 / 外乱 / 高齢者 / 姿勢

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to determine the effect of muscle co-contraction on balance recovery by using a simulation model. The muscle-driven forward simulation model included an inverted pendulum with two ankle muscles, a plantar flexor muscle (PF), and a dorsal flexor muscle (DF). The model was created based on experimental data obtained from balance recovery after applying backward platform translation to a standing elderly woman. Baseline simulation was performed using this model. We performed two simulations with increased DF excitation at the same level of simulation and at the same pattern of simulation.Our results revealed that the same pattern simulation decreased the maximum dorsal flexion angle after platform translation. During the same level of simulation, the insufficient PF force used to recover balance resulted in a forward fall. These results imply that co-contraction is an effective strategy for recovering balance at the expense of additional muscle excitation in the elderly.

Free Research Field

運動制御