How Balance Alters Visual System Performance.

Background: This experimental study will examine how balance affects performance of
the visual system in young children. Methods: Three Head-Start programs located in Tustin, Evart, and Reed City, MI participated in the study. At each program 20-25 children aged 3-5 years old participated in a series of three tests (Bell retinoscopy, NSUCO oculomotor test, and near point of convergence) to determine a baseline for visual system performance in accommodative posture, tracking ability, and convergence amplitude respectively. The same tests were repeated while the child is sat on a balance ball. Children were randomly selected to either complete the tests first while sitting on
the balance ball or while standing in order to minimize learning effects. Results: Data obtained from the tests were analyzed using multiple statistical measures (i.e. t-test, ANOVA etc.) to determine ifthere is a relationship between the performance of the
visual system and balance. Qualitative observations were also noted. Conclusions: The data suggests that the accommodative and convergence systems are unaffected when actively balancing, but the ability to make effective saccades is compromised.