Vestibular Habituation in Ballet Dancers

Abstract

Thirteen ballet dancers and 9 normal subjects were examined by means of high velocity rotation and electronystagmographic recording of the postrotatory response. According to accepted definitions the ballet dancers showed a significant degree of habituation. The so called spotting technique caused a definite reduction of the postrotatory reaction. Dancers with intense nystagmus reactions were even as immune to vertigo as those with slight nystagmus. In some of the subjects the nystagmus tended to perpetuate for long periods no matter how it was elicited; thus also after optokinetic stimulation. The vestibulo-ocular response following rotation is influenced by so many factors that it becomes a very unreliable measure for balancing proficiency in dancers.