E.V. Plotnikov – Ph.D. (Chem.), Associate Professor, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical  Sciences, Tomsk Polytechnic University

A.V. Shpakov – Ph.D. (Biol.), Head of the Department of Experimental Physiology, Research Center  for Space Medicine, Russian State Research Center n.a. Burnasyan 

at Federal Medical Biophysical Center of Federal Medical Biological Agency (Moscow)

T.V. Sukhostavtseva – Junior Research Scientist, Department of Experimental Physiology, Research Center  for Space Medicine, Russian State Research Center n.a. Burnasyan 

at Federal Medical Biophysical Center of Federal Medical Biological Agency (Moscow)

Y.I. Gerasimova – Student, Faculty of Clinical Psychology, Moscow State University of Medicine  and Dentistry n.a. A.I. Evdokimov

A.V. Mostovoj – Research Scientist, National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (Moscow) A.A. Artamonov – Ph.D. Space Physics and Space Medicine, Lead Engineer of Research Center  for Space Medicine, Russian State Research Center n.a. Burnasyan at Federal Medical Biophysical Center  of Federal Medical Biological Agency (Moscow)

Due to the development of virtual reality methods, it became necessary to study the individual characteristics of human posture maintenance when a person is immersed in a simulated virtual reality. An attempt was made to develop a system for a comprehensive assessment of the functional state of the human musculoskeletal system in relation to posture maintenance in conditions of modeling various extreme external influences using virtual reality.

The purpose – is to study the characteristics of human posture maintenance in different age groups against the background. To evaluate the strategy of forming cognitive maps of space and the intensity of the vection illusion using stabilometric methods with a virtual reality system. In the basis of the results, to propose recommendations for conducting stabilometric studies under a simulated virtual reality.

Human posture maintenance in different age groups in a simulated virtual reality decreased on the 8-20 seconds of the study. The risk of negative perceptions and postural imbalance in standing position increased under a virtual reality simulation. A twofold decrease in the average value of Romberg ratio coefficient was revealed for both men and women between 13-60 years (relative to the average value obtained before 2010). It was found that more than half of the subjects without visual impairment had less than 100% of Romberg ratio coefficient.

Before the conducting researches with a virtual reality system, it is necessary to carry out: ophthalmic vision assessment, stabilometric measurement of the Romberg ratio coefficient, to group the subjects taking into account the Romberg ratio coefficient (group with the coefficient <100% or >100%). During the studies with simulated virtual reality in standing position, it is necessary to consider the possibility of the occurrence of effects associated with postural and orthostatic intolerance and vection. 

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