Balance biomechanics as a probe for neuromuscular function

An application of a balance test to investigate the effects of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is presented. Six healthy college-age males performed the balance test both before and after inducing muscle soreness. The test consisted of maintaining upright stance, with eyes closed, on a translating support surface moving forward or backward. Data acquired included leg muscle RMS-EMGs, platform motion, and sagittal plane displacements of markers on knee, hip, and shoulder. Perceived muscle soreness and serum creatine kinase levels were also obtained. While minimal changes were seen in the kinematic parameters, the RMS-EMG parameters were altered by the DOMS. These alterations would have been difficult to detect if the biomechanical task were not constrained.<>