Location of stationary visual references alters center of pressure displacement among university modern dancers

Schanfein, Leigh BS, Purdue University,West Lafayette, IN, United States; and Rietdyk, Shirley PhD, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States

Visual feedback is important in postural control (Horak & Macpherson 1996).  Researchers have explored the role of visual stimuli locations with mixed results.  Berencsi et al. (2005) found that peripheral vision contributes to maintaining stable standing posture more so than central, while Nougier et al. (1997) found central to have greater contribution.  Paulus et al. (1984) found that body sway decreases with increasing object-eye distance.  Dancers perform complex motor tasks in environments with unique visual stimuli while also maintaining balance, and are often described as having better balance than non-dancers.  Dancers may better utilize visual references or shift sensory reliance to vestibular and/or proprioceptive feedback to maintain postural control.  The current study examines if the addition of stationary visual references to a dynamic visual field enhances postural control.  Eight modern dancers (22 ± 1.6 yrs) and four athletic controls (20 ± 3.4 yrs) stood quietly within a moving room with stationary references placed in central and/or peripheral vision within or outside the room, or with no references.  Data collection is continuing until 10 subjects have participated per group; preliminary results are reported.  Dancers: the presence of references in the outer periphery increased center of pressure displacement and was more destabilizing than having no references (p = .04).  References within the room or in central or both visual fields was no different from having no references.  Controls: references in the outer periphery was no different from having no references.  References within the room or in central or both visual fields reduced displacement (p = .03).  These results suggest that dancers, unlike controls, do not use visual references within a moving environment to help maintain stable standing posture and find those in the outer periphery to be destabilizing.