ORIENTATION TO THE VERTICAL DURING WATER IMMERSION

Abstract

In an effort to determine whether the utricle system within the ear might furnish a point of reference for the gravitational vertical, five subjects were immersed in water at a depth of either 18 or 25 feet and then rotated in a tucked position on a rod through 3, 4, or 5 revolutions. Rotation was terminated with the head in one of four positions. Upon termination of rotation, the subject was asked to point in the direction of the surface of the water, then to nod his head and correct the direction of pointing if necessary, and finally to swim toward the surface. There were errors in direction of the initial pointing of as much as 180 degrees. Errors were greatest with the head down or back and least with the head up or forward. Nodding the head was followed by consistent improvement in the pointing. It was concluded that the utricles are relatively inefficient as gravity sensors.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 08, 1960
Accession Number
AD0675628

Entities

People

  • John L. Brown

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerospace Medicine
  • Angular Acceleration
  • Buoyancy
  • Depth
  • Ear
  • Errors
  • Gravitational Fields
  • Gravity
  • Human Body
  • Motion Sickness
  • Observation
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Rotation
  • Simulations
  • Spacecraft
  • Swimming
  • Temperature Gradients

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Exercise and Sports Science.
  • Inertial Navigation Systems.