Results of computerized rotation test for figure skaters and ballet dancers

Abstract

This study was performed to determine the influence of repeated rotatostimulation on the vestibulo-ocular reflex. Three figure skaters and three ballet dancers with careers of more than 10 years were examined by two rotation tests with Contraves' computerized rotary chair on the same day. The two tests were Trapezoid Rotation (TR) test (±2, 4, 6, 8, 10°/sec2, 10″) and Sinusoidal Harmonic Acceleration (SHA) test (0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16 Hz). 1) The TR test showed that skaters and ballet dancers had equivalent values of VOR-Gains as the average of healthy untrained subjects. 2) VOR-Gains measured by the SHA test were lower than the average of healthy untrained subjects. The difference was most clearly noticed with rotations of 0.16 Hz. 3) No subjects showed vestibular asymmetry, except for one subject who showed directional preponderance to the left. 4) Nystagmus duration measured by the TR test was within the normal range. © 1988, Japan Society for Equilibrium Research. All rights reserved.