Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS) 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The statement asserting that the central visual field dominates over the peripheral visual field in the control of postural sway is not true.

In the context of balance control, both central and peripheral vision play essential roles in providing the necessary visual feedback for maintaining stability. The peripheral visual field can offer critical information about the surrounding environment, especially in terms of motion detection and spatial orientation. While central vision is vital for detailed tasks and identifying specific points of interest, it does not exclusively govern postural sway.

Furthermore, studies have shown that the integration of information from both visual fields is important in maintaining balance, particularly with the aging population, where reliance on peripheral vision can be significantly affected. As such, the statement inaccurately depicts the hierarchy of visual processing in balance control, overlooking how peripheral visual inputs contribute to preventing destabilization.

The other statements reflect accepted principles about visual control in balance, illustrating how visual acuity impacts sway, the relationship between eye distance and visual reference points, and how mismatches between visually perceived motion and other sensory inputs can disrupt stability.