SPECTRAL SIGNATURE OF FORCES TO DISCRIMINATE PERTURBATIONS IN STANDING POSTURE

This study proposes a methodology for the collection and analysis of t he spectral characteristics of human movement patterns. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of the spec tral signature obtained from postural forces and the usefulness of the technique in identifying perturbations in standing posture. Data coll ected included trials of the experimental protocol under normal standi ng conditions and under three experimental conditions designed to pert urb stability. Results of this investigation indicated that spectral s ignatures created from ground forces using the methodology proposed in this study were highly reliable within individuals and across differe nt testing sessions. These data further indicate that spectral signatu res obtained from ground reaction forces during standing provide a sen sitive indicator of an individual's postural stability.