Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Graduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Samuel Drescher, Graduate student Heather Bond, Graduate student Allysa Hayden, Graduate student Victoria Cornaro, Graduate student Brandon Ibarra, Graduate student Noah Clark, Graduate student Frank Cunningham, Graduate student Carolina Ferreira, Graduate student Katie Stubits, Graduate student Sierra Martinez, Graduate student
Lead Presenter's Name
Samuel Drescher
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Alex Chaparro
Abstract
Hypoxia, a condition characterized by insufficient oxygen availability to body tissues, is known to impair physiological and cognitive function, particularly at high altitudes above 15,000 ft. However, the effects of mild hypoxia (10,000–15,000 ft) remain less well understood. This study, conducted by the department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, investigates the impact of mild hypoxia at 12,000 ft on human balance systems. Specifically, it examines the three primary components of balance: visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular systems. Participants complete nine balance tasks under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Tasks are structured to progressively limit sensory input: the first set allows full sensory integration, the second removes visual input, and the third removes both visual and proprioceptive input, isolating vestibular function. Balance performance is assessed using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), a modified Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), subjective self-reports, and objective motion capture data. It is anticipated that mild hypoxia will produce measurable declines in balance performance, particularly when reliance solely on vestibular input is required. This research aims to address a gap in the literature and improve understanding of subtle physiological impairments relevant to aviation safety and human performance at moderate altitudes.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Included in
Environmental Health Commons, Exercise Physiology Commons, Medicine and Health Sciences Commons
The effects of Hypoxia on Balance Systems
Hypoxia, a condition characterized by insufficient oxygen availability to body tissues, is known to impair physiological and cognitive function, particularly at high altitudes above 15,000 ft. However, the effects of mild hypoxia (10,000–15,000 ft) remain less well understood. This study, conducted by the department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, investigates the impact of mild hypoxia at 12,000 ft on human balance systems. Specifically, it examines the three primary components of balance: visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular systems. Participants complete nine balance tasks under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Tasks are structured to progressively limit sensory input: the first set allows full sensory integration, the second removes visual input, and the third removes both visual and proprioceptive input, isolating vestibular function. Balance performance is assessed using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), a modified Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), subjective self-reports, and objective motion capture data. It is anticipated that mild hypoxia will produce measurable declines in balance performance, particularly when reliance solely on vestibular input is required. This research aims to address a gap in the literature and improve understanding of subtle physiological impairments relevant to aviation safety and human performance at moderate altitudes.