A postural stability analysis by using plantar pressure measurements

The foot and ankle contribute significantly to postural control by providing a contact area to the support surface. Persons with visual and neuromuscular disorders have deficits in response to perturbations of balance and often require assistive devices. This work investigated to posture analysis by using plantar pressure measurements coupled with an EMG analog signal processor. The output signals from the plantar pressure and the EMG analog processor are feeding to a high resolution data acquisition system of National Instrument data acquisition card with PCI interfacing to a PC. Experimental tests have been carried out concerning the postural stability conducted by subjects with eyes open and closed. However, an analog circuit has been realized for recording the EMG signal of Soleus muscle during the experimentation tests.