Network Analysis of Bodywide Coordination Supporting Suprapostural Dexterity

Participants will perform a modified, life-size version of the Trail Making Test (TMT) while standing upright, either on a stable (force plates) or unstable (balance board) surface. The task involves visually searching for and tracing a sequential path through spatially randomized numerical targets projected onto a large screen using a laser pointer. This dual-task condition simultaneously engages cognitive, visual, and motor planning systems while requiring continuous postural control. The task is designed to elicit suprapostural coordination, capturing the dynamic interplay between postural stability and goal-directed behavior.

Participants will maintain an upright stance on a commercially available balance board positioned atop dual force plates. The unstable surface introduces controlled postural instability, requiring continuous sensorimotor adaptation to preserve balance without external support. This condition is administered alone and in combination with the Trail Making Task to simulate dual-task challenges that more closely resemble real-world balance demands.