About this Research Topic
Human postural control is complex and as such underlined with multi-layer sensory-motor neural processing. Short- and long-term responses and adaptations to physiological or environmental stressors such as exercise, heat, cold, altitude, hypoxia, fasting, and water immersion are well known. Although these stressors cause fatigue, as well as deterioration of performance and body functions, they can also elicit favorable long-term adaptations. Cardiorespiratory and hematological responses and adaptations to such stressors have already been well investigated, however, less is known about how the body responds in terms of neuromuscular control.
The proper level of postural control and coordination is of paramount importance for safe movements, be it in the general population, athletes, or older adults. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to explore the topic to provide excellent knowledge and share new methodological considerations that would help to better understand how the human body responds to physiological stress in terms of postural control. On one hand, it is important to be aware of the potential (acute or chronic) debilitating effects of physiological stress in order to manage it when possible. On the other hand, the potential positive effects of physiological stress and staying or training in different environments can be exploited to advance clinical practices and athletic training.
In this collection, we welcome original papers, review as well as short papers, that investigate:
· Acute responses of human postural control to various physiological stressors (including, but not limited to exercise, heat, cold, altitude, hypoxia, fasting, and water immersion);
· Interventional studies investigating adaptations of neuromuscular control of posture (and the associated underlying mechanisms) to physiological stressors;
· Acute and long-term responses of postural control to interventions manipulating the sensory information available to the central nervous system;
· Methodological studies exploring the sensitivity of new approaches to the assessment of postural control to exposure to physiological or environmental stressors as a variable;
· We also encourage age, gender, and any other subgroup (e.g. fallers vs. non-fallers) comparisons as primary or secondary analysis.
The proper level of postural control and coordination is of paramount importance for safe movements, be it in the general population, athletes, or older adults. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to explore the topic to provide excellent knowledge and share new methodological considerations that would help to better understand how the human body responds to physiological stress in terms of postural control. On one hand, it is important to be aware of the potential (acute or chronic) debilitating effects of physiological stress in order to manage it when possible. On the other hand, the potential positive effects of physiological stress and staying or training in different environments can be exploited to advance clinical practices and athletic training.
In this collection, we welcome original papers, review as well as short papers, that investigate:
· Acute responses of human postural control to various physiological stressors (including, but not limited to exercise, heat, cold, altitude, hypoxia, fasting, and water immersion);
· Interventional studies investigating adaptations of neuromuscular control of posture (and the associated underlying mechanisms) to physiological stressors;
· Acute and long-term responses of postural control to interventions manipulating the sensory information available to the central nervous system;
· Methodological studies exploring the sensitivity of new approaches to the assessment of postural control to exposure to physiological or environmental stressors as a variable;
· We also encourage age, gender, and any other subgroup (e.g. fallers vs. non-fallers) comparisons as primary or secondary analysis.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
