Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

eliseannette t1_j2mzqj7 wrote

Reply to comment by wi_voter in Researchers have discovered a new situation from the everyday environment where our crucial ability to perceive what is truly vertical is compromised: when our body pitches (body pitch) and moves at the same time (body motion) by giuliomagnifico

I wondered the same thing. In terms of our body on inclines. Was hoping for a hack to improve my skiing on black diamond runs. .It's crazy how steep the runs are and you have no idea until you look uphill to gain some perspective of the grade percentage or slope during the decent. Photos I've taken illustrate some scarey angles.

2

wi_voter t1_j2n3ub3 wrote

I think this study was dependent on people reclining back as they are going up the incline. Without head support I wonder how many people stay completely reclined or "pitched" backwards. There is a natural reaction to want to right your head unless supported.

Skiing is interesting because it is actually the opposite. There is a decline while you are leaning forward with your upper body. However, with that lean forward you are still lined up over your base of support because of the flexion in your legs. In the experiment the upper body is out of that alignment over the lower body.

It would be interesting to have them use the vertical pole with skiers and see what the results are. I am guessing they would still be accurate but who knows.

2

eliseannette t1_j2n6plh wrote

Thank you for that perspective. You make a good point about the decline and leaning forward. Physics keeps us from toppling over, but it's quite a steep line on the descent.

2

wi_voter t1_j2n99bw wrote

Your pelvis, relatively the center of mass, moving backwards and lower really balances you on the slopes. The leaning forward with the upper body is already coming from a posterior position.

I love watching skiers especially on moguls. I used to ski myself until I moved to Wisconsin. The little bunny hills aren't worth the lift line.

2

eliseannette t1_j2nahte wrote

I thought ur comments sounded like they were coming from a skier. Mogel skiers have some skillz. Fun to watch. I'm from Michigan iriginally.....I get it

2

wi_voter t1_j2niyi3 wrote

Part from skier, part from being a physical therapist fascinated with biomechanics

2

eliseannette t1_j2nr5lz wrote

I also detected your science brain and smarts. Which I failed to mention.

1