OBJECTIVE: Postural control is a complex skill based on the interaction of dynamic sensorimotor processes. This study assessed the effect of lateral perturbations on postural re-stabilization regarding lower limb preference. METHODS: A group of 14 physically active individuals (9 male, 5 female) randomly underwent postural perturbations in lateral-left and lateral-right directions at a velocity of 0.2 m.s-1 and a platform shift of 6 cm. Perturbation to the preferred limb side (PS) was noted when the contralateral body movement was primarily controlled by the preferred limb and perturbation to the non-preferred limb side (NS) was noted when the contralateral body movement was primarily controlled by the non-preferred (stabilizing) limb. Prior to, during and after the perturbation centre of pressure (CoP) was registered using a computerized motor driven FiTRO Dynamic Posturography System based on force plate (Fitro Sway Check) with a sampling rate of 100 Hz. The basic stabilographic parameters of peak displacement (Peak 1), peak-to-peak displacement (Peak 2), time to peak displacement (Time 1), time to peak-to-peak displacement (Time 2) and re-stabilization time (Time 3) were analyzed. RESULTS: Results showed significantly larger Time 3 on PS than on NS (2.81 ± 1.32 s and 1.73 ± 1.10 s; p=0.02). However, there were no significant differences in other parameters between PS and NS. CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that the observed shorter re-stabilization time at NS was due to the stabilization role of the non-preferred limb.

Faculty of Physical Culture Palacky University Olomouc Czech Republic

Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Department of Anatomy and Biomechanics Charles University Prague Czech Republic

Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Comenius University Bratislava Slovakia

Kinetic and Kinematic Differences in a Golf Swing in One and Both Lower Limb Amputees