Postural control during standing
The control of posture during stance has traditionally been divided into two categories: (1)
steady-state balance control, involving postural alignment of body segments and
characteristics of body sway when standing quietly, and (2) postural adjustments to
externally and internally triggered perturbations. This includes both reactive responses to
unexpected trips or slips and anticipatory postural adjustments before a voluntary
movement. In the following sections we discuss balance control in children with CP based
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on these categories of balance control. We also examine constraints on both the motor and
the sensory systems contributing to balance. Postural adjustments during standing and
walking in children with CP only have been assessed in children with some standing and
walking capacity; thus the research applies to a limited group of children with CP.