Title: Study of the effect of early lead exposure on postural balance by advanced signal processing methods

Authors: Xiangdong Zhu, Jay Kim, Amit Bhattacharya, Robert Bornschein

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0072, USA. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0072, USA. ' Department of Environmental Health, Medical College, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0056, USA. ' Department of Environmental Health, Medical College, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0056, USA

Abstract: Measured trajectories of the Centre Of Pressure (COP) on the feet have been used to study postural balance problems. Two new signal analysis methods, the Wavelet based Multiple Fractal Formalism (WMFF) and frequency spectrum envelop characterisation method, are developed to characterise the COP data in a set of two parameters with unique physical significances. The methods are applied to re-dissect the data obtained during the Cincinnati Lead Study (CLS) to gain additional insights into the effect of early lead-exposure on children|s postural balance. It is found that the frequency spectrum envelope characterisation method is especially attractive and easy to implement.

Keywords: child postural balance; children; sway length; lead exposure; blood lead levels; advanced signal processing; centre of pressure; COP; feet; wavelet transform; multiple fractal formalism; frequency spectrum; biomedical engineering.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2007.014139

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2007 Vol.1 No.1, pp.86 - 100

Published online: 22 Jun 2007 *

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