The Role of Peripheral Vision in Static Balancing

Abstract

A study was made to determine the role of peripheral vision in static balancing. Three groups of subjects were tested under sighted and blindfold conditions, and also under a minimal cues condition.

One of these groups was trained in the use of peripheral vision and after five days achieved sighted competence under the minimal cues condition. A second group had no training, but practised for a similar period and showed no such improvement. The third group was tested with progressively decreasing amounts of peripheral vision, and the stage at which deterioration in performance occurred was noted. The results are discussed in relation to the use of peripheral vision, and in the relevance of this work to the training of the blind.