The Role of Musical Stimulation Intensity on Postural Control in Athletes: A Virtual Reality-Based Posturography Study
The Role of Musical Stimulation Intensity on Postural Control in Athletes: A Virtual Reality-Based Posturography Study
This study aims to investigate the effects of musical stimulation intensity on postural control in athletes using a virtual reality-based (VR) static posturography system. Athletes from various sports disciplines will be exposed to low-, medium-, and high-intensity music during balance assessments. The study will analyze changes in postural stability parameters under different auditory stimulation levels to understand the interaction between auditory processing, proprioception, and motor control in athletes.
This experimental study aims to examine the role of musical stimulation intensity on postural control performance in athletes through a virtual reality (VR)-based static posturography system. The study will include athletes from different sports disciplines such as volleyball, football, swimming, tennis, and combat sports.
Participants will perform balance tests under three controlled auditory conditions: low-, medium-, and high-intensity music. The VR-based posturography device will provide immersive visual feedback and precise measurements of Center-of-Pressure (COP) displacement, reaction time, and directional control. The auditory stimuli will be delivered through headphones integrated into the VR headset to ensure standardized sound intensity levels.
The primary outcome measures include changes in stability indices, sensory organization, and Limits of Stability (LOS) parameters across the three music intensity conditions. Secondary outcomes will analyze the relationship between noise sensitivity scores and postural control metrics.
This study will contribute to understanding how auditory stimulation interacts with sensorimotor integration and balance control mechanisms in athletes. The findings may support the design of VR-based training and rehabilitation programs that integrate controlled auditory environments to optimize performance and postural stability.
Inclusion Criteria:
Actively training in sports (minimum 3 sessions per week)
Normal hearing thresholds (≤20 dB HL at 0.5-8 kHz)
No history of vestibular, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorders
Voluntary participation and informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
History of ear surgery or chronic otitis media
Current use of medications affecting balance or cognition
Exposure to intense noise or ototoxic substances in the past month
Refusal to participate or inability to complete VR-based testing