Abstract

The article provides an analysis of experimental and analytical investigation of human balance assessment using accelerometry methods. The experimental findings were processed by applying statistical and digital methods; comparative analysis of the balance assessment method was carried out, the reliability of the method and opportunities for practical application were evaluated. Accelerometry is one of the most advanced methods of balance investigation. This method is related with posturography technique; laboratory conditions, however, when using the accelerometry method are not required. Movements of the head in relation to the trunk are recorded by the accelerometry method even earlier than the changes in the posture of the centre of mass appear which are measured by a force platform. During the accelerometry, triaxial accelerometers, fixed to the trunk and the limbs of the subject under study, and hardware for processing of the measured signals are used. Speed and acceleration of the movement of the parts of the body are determined by accelerometers. Such examination may be used for assessing the body balance in patients with vision impairments, brain injuries, problems with the limb control, etc. The purpose of experimental tests is to evaluate and compare the parameters of static balance in healthy adults (20–25 year-old) before and after physical activity utilizing accelerometry. The main parameters of the subjects under study: age 21.83 ± 3.17 years, height 170.63 ± 13.37 cm, weight 66.09 ± 16.91 kg, BMI 22.62 ± 5.02 kg/m2. “Bruel&Kjaer” measuring equipment was used for experiments: three seismic (uniaxial) accelerometers 8344, which traced the oscillation amplitude of the human centre of mass for the axes X, Y and Z. Technical specifications of accelerometer 8344: sensitivity 250±20% mV/ms–2, measurement limits ±26 ms–2, frequency range 0.2–3000 Hz; the portable computer with Pulse special program package and electrical signal input and processing facilities 3660-D. After the investigation it was determined that during physical load the permanent functional condition of the human organism undergoes changes, its various functions and structures have to adapt to psychophysical loads in order to function reliably, therefore the vibration amplitude after the physical load increases. Comparing the values of the standard deflection of vibration amplitudes for X and Y directions before and after physical load, it was received that a standard deflection for X direction (comparing the results before and after load) increases, on the average, by 3.7 times, and for Y direction by 2.7 times. Verf.-Referat