It is difficult to estimate individual performance in sports because of the complicated relationship of various reflexes, accommodation and mental state. To clarify that part of sports ability, we investigated the effect of horizontal optokinetic stimulus training on body balance.
Experiment A: Male subjects were stimulated optokinetically to the right on stabilometer. The angular velocity of the Ohm type drum was 60 deg/sec and the dura-tion of the stimulation was 60 seconds. This training was conducted twice a day for 4 weeks. Before and during this training, we performed the test every week and then again after a rest period of 2 weeks. Total length, x part (stimulus direction) length, area of sway, locus length per limit area were calculated. These parameters decreased after 2 weeks and were maintained after a period of 2 weeks except for locus length per limit area.
Experiment B: Male subjects were trained as in experiment A and compared with high school baseball players. High school baseball players have a good control of balance as shown in the x part (stimulus direction) and locus length per limit area compared to those in male subjects.
Experiment C: Male subjects were stimulated optokinetically to the right while sitting on a chair and findings were compared to those in male subjects who served as control. The drum was rotated with an acceleration of 2 deg/sec2 and this training was conducted twice a day for 3 weeks. Before and after this training, we performed this test. We found out that training while seated on a chair stabilized body balance.