Which are the three types of postural control?

• A. Steady state, anticipatory, reactive
• B. Steady state only
• C. Anticipatory and reactive
• D. Reactive only

Answer: (A)

Postural control has three interacting modes: steady-state control during quiet standing to minimize sway, anticipatory (or proactive) adjustments that occur before voluntary movement to keep the body stable, and reactive responses that kick in after an unexpected disturbance to restore balance. The best answer includes all three because a full account of how we maintain balance across different tasks requires maintaining quiet stance, preparing for movement, and recovering from perturbations. For example, standing quietly uses steady-state control; reaching to lift an object triggers anticipatory adjustments in the trunk and legs; being pushed from the side engages reactive strategies to regain stability. Options that omit any one of these components don’t capture the complete system.