Different Head-Sway Responses to Optic Flow in Sitting and Standing With a Head-Mounted Display

Abstract

We investigated postural responses (head displacements) and self-motion perception (vection) to radial and lateral optic flows while sitting and standing by using a head-mounted display. We found that head displacement directions varied across postures. In the standing posture, radial optic flow generally produced the opposed head displacement against the perceived vection direction, consistent with the literature; however, in the sitting posture, the optic flow generally produced the following head displacement in the vection direction. In the standing posture, responses were evident soon after the onset of the optic flow presentation but became less clear in the latter half of a trial. The results, while less clear for lateral flows, were similar for both flow types. Our findings suggest partially distinct processes underlying vection and postural control.