Anthony Mayo, Ph.D. student in Kinesiology, is the first author on an article published in Psychological Science released January 11. “Postural effects of the horizon on land and sea” examines the effects of looking at the horizon as a way to reduce the body’s instability while at sea. Mr. Mayo published the article along with Dr. Michael Wade and Dr. Tom Stoffregen, his adviser:
Postural Effects of the Horizon on Land and at Sea
Anthony M. Mayo, Michael G. Wade, and Thomas A. Stoffregen
Being aboard a ship swaying in the water can result in feelings of instability and can lead to sea sickness. Sea travelers have been told for generations to look at the horizon to help overcome the feelings of instability, but is there any truth to that advice? During a cruise in Mexico, crew members’ body sway was measured as they stood on a platform, both at the dock and on the moving ship, and focused on a near target, a far target, or the horizon. On land, standing body sway was greater when participants looked at the horizon than when they looked at a nearby target. On the moving ship, body sway was the smallest when participants looked at the horizon, thus confirming the advice to look at the horizon to stabilize body posture while at sea.