Postural and Neuromuscular Mechanisms in Balance and Postural Re-education: Technological and Clinical Advances

Dear Colleague,

Alterations in balance and posture are determining factors in the risk of falling in the elderly. According to the World Health Organization, 28–35% of those over 65 suffer at least one fall every year, with an increase of up to 40% over the age of 80, resulting in fractures, hospitalizations and loss of autonomy (WHO, 2021). Vestibular disorders, peripheral neuropathies, sarcopenia, arthrosis and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's are among the most frequent causes of postural instability (Shumway-Cook & Woollacott, 2017).

Postural assessment observes symmetry, segmental alignment, trunk control, and balance strategies. Instrumental evaluation uses stabilometry, baropodometry and motion analysis systems to analyze center of pressure oscillations, load distribution and asymmetries. Functional assessment, on the other hand, focuses on the subject's ability to maintain and recover balance under static and dynamic conditions through standardized tests.

Integrated preventive interventions include targeted muscle strengthening exercises, proprioceptive training, vestibular re-education and correction of postural alterations. Nanotechnology-based wearable devices, such as miniaturized inertial sensors, enable continuous monitoring of postural parameters, predictive data processing and the activation of personalized corrective feedback (Patel et al., 2020).

Dr. Giuseppe Messina
Prof. Dr. Donatella Di Corrado
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• posture
• balance
• elderly falls
• stabilometry
• baropodometry
• proprioception
• core stability
• nanotechnology
• wearable sensors
• postural re-education