Reorientation and Vestibular Function: A comparison in the human centrifuge between fighter pilots and non-aviators

Abstract

Determinations of oculogravic illusion at increasing rotation speeds of the centrifuge, in accordance with a technique previously described.

Results of the two test groups are almost identical, in seeming contradiction to what has been shown of the habituation tendencies of the vestibu-lar apparatus. Author suggests a psycho-physiological explanation to account for this.

Among the conclusions oculogravic illusion in the normal human is suggested to indicate the effect of linear acceleration on the inner ear provided this stimulus remains within reasonable limits. For stronger linear stimuli the phenomenon is believed to be an expression of a combined otolith-proprio-exteroceptive excitation.