Effect of Virtual Height on Intermuscular Coherence and Postural Stability During Reactive Balance

Learning Objectives:

• Explain how postural-threat-induced anxiety (e.g., from virtual height exposure) influences neural control of balance, including shifts in corticospinal versus subcortical contributions during reactive stepping responses.
• Describe the use of intermuscular coherence analysis as a method to assess neural pathway involvement (reticulospinal vs. corticospinal) in balance control following unexpected perturbations.
• Interpret the relationship between psychophysiological measures of anxiety (Subjective Units of Distress Scale and electrodermal activity) and changes in motor coordination during balance challenges in a virtual environment.