Influence of height on the spatial orientation and equilibrium of the body.

Abstract

The sway of the center of gravity for 30 seconds with a stabilometer was examined in 30 volunteers under 3 visual conditions (eyes open with and without fixation and eyes closed) at heights of 0, 1, and 2 m and under 2 visual conditions (eyes open with fixation and eyes closed) at a height of 10 m 22 cm. Eight of the subjects had acrophobia. The sway worsened at 10 m 22 cm but showed no change at 1 or 2 m. The acrophobic group became clearly worse at 10 m 22 cm. In another group of 12 volunteers, the subjects were guided to the roof with the eyes closed, and sway was measured. Sway was also measured with the eyes uncovered and open and again with the eyes closed. The first measurement with the eyes closed showed worse sway, and the second with the eyes open was better, except in 2 subjects who were acrophobic.