Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate control strategies and sensory weighting in healthy adults based on the kinematics of the center of pressure (COP). Methods: A total of 56 healthy adults capable of maintaining a bipedal position were included. Individuals with uncompensated visual impairment, lesions in the posterior cranial fossa, or current neurological diagnoses were excluded. Posturographic data were recorded using a Nintendo Wii Balance Board™ (WBB). A modified Sensory Organization Test was applied, consisting of four conditions: eyes open or closed on the WBB, and eyes open or closed on a foam surface. Participants were required to stand for 45 seconds, looking at a mark on the wall, with their arms relaxed and feet 20 cm apart. The COP signal was re-sampled at 100 Hz, interpolated, and filtered using a Butterworth low-pass filter at 10 Hz. Data distribution was evaluated, and conditions were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test (α=0.05). Results: The results showed significant changes between conditions for some variables, reaffirming the sensitivity of the WBB to detect adaptations in postural control in response to changes in sensory demands. Conditions with greater sensory challenges generated wider and faster COP movements. The calculated critical time suggests that control in the frontal plane responds to the available somatosensory profile, rather than visual input status. Visual reweighting showed changes in the complexity of the behavior, independent of surface firmness, reflecting a direct link between system flexibility and somatosensory dependence. Conclusions: The observed behavior aligns with expectations and existing literature. The WBB proves to be an useful tool for detecting changes in variability, complexity, and flexibility of the system. These changes shape distinct control strategies in response to specific variations in sensory inputs.