Cortical and sensory control of standing balance

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Standing balance entails rapid processing and integration of sensorimotor signals within the central and peripheral nervous system, which include information from vestibular, visual, and somatosensory cues. Upright balance control is typically an afterthought and its complexity and importance is only realized once the neuromuscular system undergoes an insult or chronic deterioration. With adult aging, the neuromuscular system endures degenerative changes, characterized by muscle atrophy and declines in structure and function. Despite much research on standing balance in older adults, many studies do not provide mechanistic insight into the cortical and sensorimotor control necessary for standing. The aged neuromuscular system offers an excellent model to further our understanding of sensorimotor adaptations through investigation into the integration and transformation of cortical and sensorimotor signals that modulate balance in a chronically-altered and compromised state. An effective means to evaluate the integrity of the neuromuscular system is to stress it acutely through an intervention such as muscle fatigue. Yet, little is known about how fatigue affects the sensorimotor control of standing. Thus, the LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE of my research program is to better understand the fundamental processes related to the sensorimotor control of standing balance and movement. Over the next five-years, my lab will address two short-term research objectives that will contribute to the achievement of my long-term objective. The first SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVE will