The biomechanics of walking shape the use of visual information during locomotion over complex terrain

Journal of Vision
Jonathan Samir MatthisBrett R Fajen

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine how visual information is used to control stepping during locomotion over terrain that demands precision in the placement of the feet. More specifically, we sought to determine the point in the gait cycle at which visual information about a target is no longer needed to guide accurate foot placement. Subjects walked along a path while stepping as accurately as possible on a series of small, irregularly spaced target footholds. In various conditions, each of the targets became invisible either during the step to the target or during the step to the previous target. We found that making targets invisible after toe off of the step to the target had little to no effect on stepping accuracy. However, when targets disappeared during the step to the previous target, foot placement became less accurate and more variable. The findings suggest that visual information about a target is used prior to initiation of the step to that target but is not needed to continuously guide the foot throughout the swing phase. We propose that this style of control is rooted in the biomechanics of walking, which facilitates an energetically efficient strategy in which visual information is primarily used to initialize...Continue Reading

Citations

Oct 21, 2016·Journal of Neurophysiology·Rodrigo S MaedaDaniel S Marigold
Aug 9, 2018·Journal of Movement Disorders·Anshul SrivastavaCodrin Lungu
Apr 13, 2019·Experimental Brain Research·Sean L BartonBrett R Fajen
Aug 29, 2019·The Journal of Physiology·Humza N ZubairIrina N Beloozerova
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