Objective To observe the distribution characteristics of motion sickness susceptibility and compare the efficacy of modified motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire (MSSQ), motion sickness history questionnaire and Graybiel scale in evaluating motion sickness. Methods The susceptibility to motion sickness and historical symptoms were investigated using MSSQ and motion sickness history questionnaire among 1 661 males in navy units A, B, and C. A total of 389 people from the unit C were selected for simulating vertical oscillation stimulation, and the severity of motion sickness was evaluated by Graybiel scale during the stimulation process. The evaluation efficacy of MSSQ, motion sickness history questionnaire and Graybiel scale for motion sickness was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results The overall distribution of motion sickness susceptibility assessed by MSSQ and motion sickness history questionnaire in this population was right skewed. The distribution characteristics in the units A, B, and C were consistent with the overall distribution, and there was no significant difference among the 3 units. A positive correlation was observed between the MSSQ and the motion sickness history questionnaire in the units A, B, and C (r_s＝0.565, 0.565, 0.554), and both of them were comparable in assessing the incidence of motion sickness and severe motion sickness. However, the incidence of motion sickness assessed by Graybiel scale was significantly lower than that assessed by MSSQ and motion sickness history questionnaire (both P＜0.05), and the incidence of severe motion sickness was significantly higher than that assessed by MSSQ and motion sickness history questionnaire (both P＜0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that MSSQ had good predictive value for motion sickness susceptibility and severe motion sickness (area under curve ［AUC］ ＝0.736, 0.750), while the Graybiel scale had poor predictive ability (AUC＝0.559, 0.557). Conclusion The right skewed distribution of susceptibility to motion sickness is preliminarily determined. During the acclimatization training for motion sickness, the susceptible individuals can be screened by MSSQ and then subjected to vertical oscillation stimulation to improve the training efficiency.