Abstract

Besides anthropometric variables, high-order body representations have been hypothesised to influence postural control. However, this has not been directly tested before. Moreover, some studies indicate that sex moderates the relationship of anthropometry and postural control. Therefore, as a proof of concept we investigated the association of body representations with postural control as well as the influence of participants’ sex/gender. Body image measures were assessed with a figural drawing task. Body schema was tested by a covert and an overt task. Body sway was measured during normal bipedal quiet standing with eyes closed (with/without neck extended). Statistical analysis consisted of hierarchical multiple linear regressions with the following regression steps: (1) sensory condition, (2) sex/gender, (3) age, (4) anthropometry, (5) body schema, (6) body image, (7) sex/gender-interactions. Across 36 subjects (19 females), body schema was significantly associated with body sway variability and open-loop control, in addition to commonly known influencing factors, such as sensory condition, gender, age and anthropometry. While in females, also body image dissatisfaction substantially was associated with postural control, this was not the case in males. Sex differences and possible causes why high-order body representations may influence concurrent sensorimotor control of body sway are discussed.

Details

Title
Sex differences in the association of postural control with indirect measures of body representations
Author
Schulleri, Katrin H 1 ; Johannsen Leif 2 ; Youssef, Michel 1 ; Lee, Dongheui 3 

 Technical University of Munich (TUM), Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (EI), Human-centered Assistive Robotics (HCR), Munich, Germany (GRID:grid.6936.a) (ISNI:0000000123222966) 
 RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Psychology, Cognitive and Experimental Psychology, Aachen, Germany (GRID:grid.1957.a) (ISNI:0000 0001 0728 696X); Technical University of Munich (TUM), Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Human Movement Science, Munich, Germany (GRID:grid.6936.a) (ISNI:0000000123222966) 
 Technical University of Munich (TUM), Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (EI), Human-centered Assistive Robotics (HCR), Munich, Germany (GRID:grid.6936.a) (ISNI:0000000123222966); German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, Weßling, Germany (GRID:grid.7551.6) (ISNI:0000 0000 8983 7915) 
Publication year
2022
Publication date
2022
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2640595774
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2022. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.