Balance Performance as Related to Task Stress under Varied Conditions of Sensory Cues

Abstract

27 junior high school girls performed three trials on a dynabilometer on each of 7 days. Subjects learned the balance task with all sensory cues available but were tested under three conditions of partial feedback occlusion, i.e., with blindfold, earphone, and combination of blindfold and earphone. On six days heart rate was monitored. Although the tasks were “stressful” based on heart rate, the various conditions did not invoke significantly different response. However, significant differences in balance performance were related to the conditions. Best performance resulted when both auditory and visual cues were withheld, while the worst performance occurred when subjects wore either the blindfold or the earphones.