Head-Trunk Coordination During Linear Anterior-Posterior Translations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative contributions of inputs from the vestibular system and the trunk to head-trunk coordination. Twelve healthy adults and 6 adults with diminished bilateral labyrinthine input (LD) were seated with their trunk either fixed to the seat or free to move. Subjects received 10-cm, 445-cm/s(2) anterior-posterior ramps and 0.35- to 4.05-Hz sum-of-sines translations while performing a mental distraction task in the dark. Kinematics of the head and trunk were derived from an Optotrak motion analysis system and a linear accelerometer placed on the head. EMG signals were collected from neck and paraspinal muscles. Data were tested for significance with multivariate ANOVA (MANOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc analyses. Initial linear and angular head acceleration directions differed in healthy subjects when the trunk was fixed or free, but did not differ in LD subjects. Peak head angular accelerations were significantly greater with the trunk fixed than when free, and were greater in LD than in control subjects. EMG response latencies did not differ when the trunk was fixed or free. Low-frequency phase responses in the healthy subjects were close to 90 degrees and had a delayed descent as frequency increased, suggesting some neural compensation that was absent in the LD subjects. Results of this study revealed a strong initial reliance on system mechanics and on signals from segmental receptors. The vestibular system may act to damp later response components and to monitor the position of the head in space secondary to feedback from segmental proprioceptors rather than to generate the postural reactions.