Maintaining balance is a factor critical and integral to our effective physical function as it relates to the normal activities of daily living. Of the “hip strategy”, “stepping strategy” and “ankle strategy”, it is known and accepted that the “ankle strategy” is the first activated parameter to assist in the maintenance of balance in motor output. However, few studies actually evaluated or assessed the precise attributes of “ankle strategy” in relation to any therapeutic effort tocorrect and/or rehabilitate from physical imbalance caused by dynamic tilting perturbation. The aim of the study was to identify precise characteristics of the “ankle strategy” as they respond to dynamic tilting perturbations. Seven healthy male (aged 25.5 ± 1.7 years, average height of 173.9 ± 6.4 cm, average body mass of 71.3 ± 6.5 kg) were recruited to participate. The ankle joint motions were subjected to eight dynamic tilting perturbations generated by the customized tilting perturbation simulator, and the responses were measured by 3D motion capture system. Concurrently, foot pressure distribution and the corresponding centers of pressure (COP) trajectory were measured by a pressure measuring system, and the four main muscles’ activations related to the ankle joint motions were measured by wireless electromyogram system.

The purpose of this study was to analyze dynamic postural balance against tilting perturbation in the young and the elderly. Twenty-eight young subjects and 22 elderly subjects participated in this study. Subjects performed dynamic balance test on a force plate during tilting perturbations (tilt-up and tilt-down). As outcome measures, peak distance and velocity were calculated from center of pressure (COP). Two-way ANOVA were performed for the outcome measures with the independent factors of age and gender. COP peak distance of the elderly was significantly greater than that of the young (p < 0.05). Velocity of COP showed age difference (p < 0.001) and also interaction effects only in tilt-up perturbation (p < 0.05). Especially, age-related difference existed in only women (p < 0.001). The age-related changing of women in the dynamic balance may be related to the greater fall rate of elderly women.