Visually Induced Motion Sickness and Static Balance Performance in Athletic and Sedentary Young Adults

Civan A. H., Şahin M., Ağaoğlu Topçu C., Köktaş E., Uzun M. E., Doğan İ.

Research in Sports Science (Online), vol.16, pp.1-9, 2026 (TRDizin)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine visually induced motion sickness responses and static balance performance in athletic and sedentary young adults. A total of 32 volunteers aged 18–24 years (16 athletes and 16 sedentary individuals) participated in the study. Motion sickness was induced using a video-based visual stimulation protocol, and motion sickness symptoms were assessed before and immediately after exposure using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire and the Baxter Animated Retching Faces nausea scale. Static balance performance was evaluated using the Multifunctional Training Challenge Disc 2.0 under right foot, left foot, double-leg stance, and total balance conditions. Between-group comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney U-test, and pre–post changes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. In the post-test assessment, motion sickness was reported by 56.2% of athletes (n = 9) and 62.5% of sedentary individuals (n = 10), with no significant difference between groups (χ2 = 0.130, p = .719). Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were observed in post-test Simulator Sickness Questionnaire scores between male and female participants (p = .059) or between athlete and sedentary groups (p = .546). Similarly, no significant differences were found in post-test Baxter Animated Retching Faces scores between sexes (p = .502) or between athlete and sedentary groups (p = .823). Furthermore, balance performance analyses revealed no significant differences between pre-test and post-test measurements among participants who reported motion sickness and those who did not (p > .05). Similarly, no significant differences in static balance performance were observed between athlete and sedentary groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, although motion sickness symptoms were observed following the visual stimulation protocol, these symptoms did not lead to acute impairments in static balance performance.