Postural measurements during head turns obtained with a force platform and plantar footprints

Aim. The paper was aimed at identifying the mechanisms of maintaining postural stability depending on support asymmetry during the static cervical-tonic reflex to head turns in healthy subjects. Materials and methods. The study included 33 people between the ages of 18 and 25 who were free of motor and neurological disorders. In the head movement test, support lateralization was defined by plantar footprints. Following statistical analysis, the subjects were divided into three categories: left-sided, right-sided, and indefinite lateralization (ambidextrous). In these groups, postural measurements were obtained with a force platform during head turns. Results. Plantar footprints enabled the calculation of the plantar pressure ratio between the right and left feet. During head movements, the postural stability of subjects was evaluated with a force platform. It is shown that support lateralization affects postural stability during head movements: postural stability was better in persons with pronounced lateralization of plantar pressure. Conclusion. Force platform measurements did not show pre-clinical changes in postural stability during the static cervical-tonic reflex to head turns. Under the same conditions, plantar footprints made it possible to identify changes in postural stability, which depended on the initial support lateralization of the lower extremities.