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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
10:12
Three Dimensional Vestibular Ocular Reflex Testing Using a Six Degrees of Freedom Motion Platform
Published on: May 23, 2013
The human vestibulo-ocular reflex during linear locomotion
S T Moore1, E Hirasaki, T Raphan
1Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA. steven.moore@mssm.edu
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|November 17, 2001
Summary
During walking, head movements activate the vestibulo-ocular reflexes. Eye movements compensate for head pitch and yaw, with the linear vestibulo-ocular reflex (IVOR) dominating near vision and the angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (aVOR) dominating far vision.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Locomotion involves complex head movements, including translation and rotation in vertical and horizontal planes.
- These head movements generate linear and angular accelerations within the operational range of vestibulo-ocular reflexes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the roles of the linear and angular vestibulo-ocular reflexes (IVOR and aVOR) in stabilizing gaze during locomotion.
- To determine how target distance influences the contribution of IVOR and aVOR to eye movements.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of head translation and rotation frequencies and magnitudes during walking.
- Measurement of vertical and horizontal eye movements in relation to head motion.
- Phase analysis of eye velocity relative to head velocity for near and far targets.
Main Results:
- Vertical head translation during walking occurs at stepping frequency (2 Hz) with peak acceleration of 0.37 g.
- Lateral head translation occurs at stride frequency (1 Hz) with peak acceleration of 0.1 g.
- Vertical eye movements shift from aVOR-dominant (compensating for pitch) at far distances to IVOR-dominant (compensating for translation) at near distances.
- Horizontal eye movements are consistently aVOR-driven, compensating for head yaw across all viewing distances.
Conclusions:
- Both IVOR and aVOR are crucial for gaze stabilization during locomotion.
- The relative contribution of IVOR and aVOR to eye movements is modulated by viewing distance.
- Understanding these reflexes provides insights into visual-motor control during dynamic activities.
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