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Why do different areas of the brain activate when we stand? Uncover the magical power behind balance!
Standing up may seem like a simple thing, but it actually consists of a variety of complex physiological processes. As our body posture changes, our brain reacts differently to our surroundings. Why?
Postural control is the ability to maintain the body's position in space, which requires the central nervous system to interpret sensory information to generate movements to maintain an upright posture. Postural control relies on sensory information mainly from the visual, vestibular and proprioceptive systems. This enables us to maintain stability in a changing external environment.
Posture control is the result of the interaction of multiple systems, including the musculoskeletal system, neuromuscular synergies, and various sensory systems.
Definition and strategy of posture control
Postural control can be defined as the ability to achieve, maintain, or adjust balance during static or dynamic activities. This includes regulation of stability and sense of direction. Therefore, new challenges arise when the body and the environment interact, greatly increasing the demand for postural control.
There are two main categories of posture control strategies: predictive strategies and reactive strategies. Predictive strategies are used to anticipate potential actions that could cause instability and automatically make adjustments before they occur. The reactive strategy is an immediate response to external disturbances, directly adjusting posture to maintain balance.
These strategies require the body to be able to adapt quickly, either to known actions or to sudden external disturbances.
Posture Control System
Posture control involves a complex interaction of multiple systems. The postural control system plays a key role in the interaction of the musculoskeletal, nervous, and sensory systems. These systems process information from the internal and external environment to support our bodies' stable movement in a variety of environments.
Reflex mechanisms in postural control
Many animals possess reflex mechanisms that aid in postural control. For example, the resistance reflex of arthropods and the extension reflex of vertebrates are both widespread feedback systems that can respond quickly to changes in the surrounding environment.
Reflections can appear in different forms depending on the environment, a phenomenon known as reflection inversion.
Cortical influences on postural control
Traditionally, postural control has been considered an automatic response directed by subcortical structures in the brainstem and spinal cord. Recent neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies have shown that the cortex also plays an important role in postural control.
Before this new knowledge, many people believed that posture did not require high-level regulation by the brain, but now evidence shows that cortical involvement can make our responses more flexible and adaptable to various situations.
Current Research Status
Studies have shown that when the body is subjected to external perturbations, initial postural responses are generated primarily by the brainstem and spinal cord, but subsequent responses are modulated by the cortex. During this process, different areas of the brain come into play depending on the state of the body and the current environment.
Multiple neuroimaging studies have shown that as motor demands increase, activity in higher-level cortical areas also increases, making our responses more dependent on more than just quick, automatic reactions.
Functional neuroimaging techniques such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) have been used to reveal cortical Role in maintaining balance.
This flurry of research highlights the importance of the brain in controlling posture, particularly when it comes to everyday hand movements or walking. Our reactions are actually a process of the whole brain working together, not just the result of automatic reactions.
How do the physiological mechanisms behind this work together when we stand and perform various movements in our daily lives?
