How do dancers and skaters reduce dizziness after spinning?

Dancers and skaters reduce dizziness after spinning by concentrating on a fixed, visible object in their environment.1

This technique helps mitigate the effects of postrotational nystagmus and the sensation of continued rotation that occurs when the fluid within the semicircular canals of the inner ear is suddenly stopped. When a person rotates at a constant velocity, the fluid and the cupula stabilize; however, a sudden stop causes the cupula to be redeflected, creating a false perception of movement and dizziness. By fixing their gaze on a stationary point, performers provide their brain with visual cues that help counteract these vestibular signals.1

Without this visual fixation, the vestibular system—which mediates equilibrium and balance—can easily lead to disorientation. While the cerebellum plays a critical role in coordinating sensory input and adjusting motor reflexes to maintain balance, the specific practice of "spotting" a fixed object is a learned behavioral strategy that allows dancers and skaters to maintain stability despite the intense rotational forces acting upon their vestibular apparatus.123