Investigating the Crucial Role of Optic Flow in Postural Control: Central vs. Peripheral Visual Field

Abstract

Optic flow stimuli are crucial for the control of stance in the upright position. The visual control of posture has recently received a lot of interest from several researchers. One of the most intriguing aspects is the contribution of the different parts of the visual field in the control of stance. Here we reviewed the results of several studies performed with different methodologies that tried to determine the effect of optic flow on postural control, by analyzing the role of the central and peripheral visual fields. Although the results were controversial, the majority of these studies agreed to assign the most important role in postural control to the peripheral retina. However, these studies were performed using different approaches and different definitions of the central and peripheral visual fields. The choice of the exact portion of the retina to be stimulated is crucial given that the stimulation of the central and the peripheral parts of the retina leads to the activation of different geniculo-cortical pathways and results in different cortical processing of information.

Keywords

• quiet stance
• visual-motion processing
• self-motion perception
• body sway