MEASUREMENTS OF POSTURAL STABILITY - DEVELOPMENT OF A FORCE PLATFORM AND SOME EXCITATION SYSTEMS

Technical data are given for the construction of a low cost transporta ble force platform to measure postural stability. The measuring elemen ts in the platform are placed between two rigid metal plates to give i nformation about the movements of the center point of force of a stand ing subject. The system utilizes a microcomputer for data collection, and data analysis routines are used to calculate the movement of the c enter point of force. Postural perturbation was excited with a vibrati ng platform, a low frequency noise source and a vibration stimulator f or the calf muscles.