Which motor strategy is defined by swaying in the mediolateral plane using hip abductors and adductors?

Which motor strategy is defined by swaying in the mediolateral plane using hip abductors and adductors?

• A. Suspension strategy
• B. Stepping strategy
• C. Weight shift strategy
• D. Hip strategy

Answer: (C)

Balancing in the frontal (mediolateral) plane often uses the hip strategy, which relies on the hip muscles to move the trunk relative to the pelvis. When a perturbation pushes you side to side, the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus (hip abductors) along with adductors activate to generate lateral torque at the hip, producing sway around the pelvis that realigns the center of mass over the base of support. This proximal, rapid adjustment is characteristic of the hip strategy and is particularly used when the surface is narrow or unstable, or when ankle-level corrections aren’t sufficient. Weight-shift involves transferring weight from one leg to the other within the base of support to prepare for a step or to keep the center of gravity over the stance leg, which is a different mechanism than the rapid mediolateral hip-driven sway described here.

Balancing in the frontal (mediolateral) plane often uses the hip strategy, which relies on the hip muscles to move the trunk relative to the pelvis. When a perturbation pushes you side to side, the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus (hip abductors) along with adductors activate to generate lateral torque at the hip, producing sway around the pelvis that realigns the center of mass over the base of support. This proximal, rapid adjustment is characteristic of the hip strategy and is particularly used when the surface is narrow or unstable, or when ankle-level corrections aren’t sufficient.

Weight-shift involves transferring weight from one leg to the other within the base of support to prepare for a step or to keep the center of gravity over the stance leg, which is a different mechanism than the rapid mediolateral hip-driven sway described here.