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Published on: August 22, 2025
Oculomotor tasks affect differently postural control in healthy children.
Maria Pia Bucci1, Layla Ajrezo1, Sylvette Wiener-Vacher1
1Vestibular and Oculomotor Evaluation Unit, ENT Department, Robert Debré University Hospital, 48 Boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France; UMR 1141, INSERM - Université Paris 7, Robert Debré University Hospital, 48 Boulevard Sérurier, Paris, France.
Visual attention during saccades and reading improves children's postural stability. However, pursuit eye movements negatively impact balance, indicating a link between oculomotor control and posture.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Biomechanics
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Postural control develops throughout childhood, typically improving until adolescence.
- Eye movements are known to influence balance, but the specific effects of different oculomotor tasks require further investigation.
- Understanding the interplay between visual attention and motor control is crucial for child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how different types of eye movements (saccades, pursuits, reading) affect postural stability in healthy children.
- To determine if visual attention or saccade frequency is the primary driver of changes in postural control.
- To explore the interaction between the oculomotor system and postural control mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Recorded eye movements using video oculography (MobilEBT®) in 51 healthy children (6.3–15.5 years).
- Measured postural stability using a force platform (TechnoConcept®) while children performed saccades, pursuits, and silent reading.
- Analyzed saccade frequency, words read, and center of pressure (CoP) parameters (surface area, length, velocity).
Main Results:
- Saccades and reading tasks significantly reduced center of pressure (CoP) displacement and velocity, enhancing postural stability.
- Pursuit eye movements led to increased CoP parameters, indicating reduced postural stability.
- Visual attention during saccades (to targets or words) had a greater impact on postural stability than saccade frequency.
Conclusions:
- Oculomotor control and postural systems are interconnected in children.
- Visual attention is a key factor influencing postural stability during specific eye movement tasks.
- The findings highlight the importance of visual attention in maintaining balance during visually guided activities.
