Physiologic alterations associated with visual height intolerance: balance control and muscle activity

Question: Visual height intolerance (vHI) occurs when a visual stimulus causes the apprehension of loosing balance and falling [1]. Although vHI affects almost one-third of the general population [2] and has relevant consequences on the quality of life [3], a quantitative assessment of physiological alterations that may trigger postural imbalance in vHI is missing. Methods: In order to evaluate vHI-related changes in postural control, we assessed center-of-pressure displacements and electromyographic data of selected leg, arm and neck muscles in sixteen susceptibles to vHI while standing on the balcony and while…