The influence of sounds in postural control

Abstract

Postural control is a polisensory system based on the synergism of visual, proprioceptive (kinaesthetic), auditory and labyrinthic (both otolithic and canalar) inputs. Each individual, according to age, organizes different somatosensorial strategies in order to manage postural control. Therefore the prevalence of visual, auditory, proprioceptive and labyrinthic input management varies from subject to subject during growth. It is known that during the first year of age, before the achievement of an erect posture, this latter is mainly managed according to auditory and labyrinthic stimuli, whereas once the bipodalic stance is achieved, afferent proprioceptive information from the foot and from the paravertebral muscles become the main stimuli for static postural control and visual input for dynamic postural control. This shift depends on the development of anatomical and physiological systems. Because of the anatomical contiguity of the phonoreceptor and the vestibular organs, auditory inputs can influence postural control in the form of a wave of disturbances which affects the vestibular system and general postural control. In addition, afferent auditory pathways synapse to the inferior colliculus in the mesencephalon that through the anterior tectospinal tract together to the superior colliculus, that receive visual inputs, synapse to the superior olivary complex that through the olivocerebellar tract synapses in the cerebellum, that is the organ mainly responsible for postural control. Therefore, the aim of this work will be to elucidate the role of sounds in postural control.