The role of plantar cutaneous mechanoreceptors in the control of compensatory stepping reactions evoked by unpredictable, multi-directional perturbation

The role of plantar pressure sensation in controlling compensatory stepping was explored via hypothermic anesthesia of the foot soles, in 10 healthy y oung adults. Stepping reactions were evoked by unpredictable platform trans lation in forward, backward and lateral directions. The findings suggest th ree specific direction- and phase-dependent roles for the plantar cutaneous afferents: (1) sensing posterior stability limits during initiation of bac kward steps, (2) sensing and controlling heel-contact and subsequent weight transfer during termination of forward steps, and (3) maintaining stabilit y during the prolonged swing phase of lateral crossover steps. (C) 2000 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.