Multi-segmental control of style

By analyzing body movements and muscle activity across ground level, height exposure, and return-to-ground conditions, this study identified significant, individualized changes in motor control and EMG activity that define perceptualmotor styles. Upper body muscle activity-especially in the flexor carpi, sternocleidomastoid, and trapezius-and turning movements were the most influential factors distinguishing individual styles. A clear gradient of muscle activity changes was observed from lower to upper body during height exposure. Machine learning models, such as Random Forest, achieved high accuracy (often >0.9) in classifying individuals based on upper body and neck muscle EMG patterns. This aligns with previous findings that a majority of participants altered arm, trunk, and head movements at height. Notably, some individuals maintained altered muscle activity even after returning to ground level, while others reverted quickly, indicating persistent or transient effects and underscoring the need for personalized approaches. Turning movements were more sensitive to heightinduced changes than linear walking, with greater variability in those more affected by height. Overall, upper body EMG changes and turning behavior are key to understanding and predicting individual differences in motor control under heightinduced anxiety, supporting personalized interventions for balance and movement.