The purpose of study was to analyze how the visual information affects balance control of individuals during single leg stance. A total of 27 young normal people (20 males and 7 females, age: 13.7±2.6, height: 162.3±13.2 cm, weight: 53.9±13.9 kg) was voluntarily involved in the experiment. The subjects were requested to maintain balance for 20 seconds with eyes both open and closed on a force plate and then foot ground reaction data were collected for that duration. Results showed that mean velocity of COP in closed eyes condition was larger 1.84 times than that of the open-eyes condition and range of vertical angle was increased approximately one degree in the closed eyes condition. To accomplish a balance, the frequency power in mediolateral and anteroposterior components of the foot-ground reaction force was increased by 1.3~1.4 times. Consequently, visual absence during single leg stance can result in critical loss of balance and lead to instability of body control.
