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Visual feedforward control in human locomotion during avoidance of obstacles that change size
Luiz C Santos1, Renato Moraes, Aftab E Patla
1Laboratório de Biomecânica e Controle Motor, Faculdade de Educação Física, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Motor Control
|November 6, 2010
Summary
Visual information about changing obstacle size is used to adjust the trail limb during obstacle avoidance. The lead limb
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Motor control
- Human locomotion
Background:
- Obstacle avoidance is crucial for safe navigation.
- Understanding visual feedback's role in gait adaptation is key.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate visual information use for obstacle size changes.
- To differentiate lead and trail limb responses during obstacle avoidance.
Main Methods:
- Participants walked in darkness, stepping over obstacles with size changes.
- Obstacle dimensions were altered just before clearance.
- Visual feedback during obstacle crossing was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Trail limb trajectory was modulated by visual size information.
- Lead limb trajectory showed no adaptation to size changes.
- Available visual processing time influenced adaptive stepping.
Conclusions:
- Visual information on obstacle size is used for trail limb adjustments.
- This visual feedback is processed in a feedforward manner.
- Gait adaptation relies on timely visual information processing.
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