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Related Experiment Videos

Selection of movement patterns during functional tasks in humans.

W Freedman1, L Kent

  • 1Department of Electrical Engineering, Drexel University and Moss Rehabilitation Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Journal of Motor Behavior
|June 1, 1987
PubMed
Summary

Human subjects adapt their gait, switching from a heel strike (HS) to a toe strike (TS) movement pattern when descending steps of increasing height. Vision influences this motor adaptation for efficient and stable locomotion.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Motor Control
  • Human Locomotion

Background:

  • Human locomotion involves adaptable movement patterns for different terrains.
  • Selecting between heel strike (HS) and toe strike (TS) patterns is crucial for stability during level walking versus stair descent.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how step height and vision influence the choice between HS and TS movement patterns.
  • To understand the underlying neuromuscular control strategies for adapting gait to varying step heights.

Main Methods:

  • Electromyographic (EMG) activity of tibialis anterior and triceps surae muscles was recorded.
  • Ankle angle and vertical ground reaction forces were measured during step descent.
  • Experiments were conducted under both vision and non-vision conditions with adjustable step heights.

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Main Results:

  • A distinct threshold in step height was identified, triggering a switch from HS to TS patterns.
  • Precontact EMG bursts in leg muscles indicated preprogrammed movement patterns for both HS and TS.
  • Increased step height led to a transition towards the TS pattern, suggesting optimization for stability.

Conclusions:

  • The selection of HS and TS movement patterns is a preprogrammed response influenced by functional demands like step height.
  • This motor adaptation, involving a mix of voluntary and reflex actions, optimizes movement efficiency and stability.
  • Vision plays a role in modulating these motor strategies during step descent.