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

The sway of the center of gravity for 30 seconds with a stabilometer was ex amined in 30 volunteers under 3 visual conditions (eyes open with and witho ut 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 2 2 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 wors e at 10 m 22 cm. In another group of 12 volunteers, the subjects were guide d to the roof with the eyes closed, and sway was measured. Sway was also me asured 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 w ith the eyes open was better, except in 2 subjects who were acrophobic.