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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
A Method to Quantify Visual Information Processing in Children Using Eye Tracking
Published on: July 9, 2016
The role of vision in obese and normal-weight children's gait control
Eva D'Hondt1, Veerle Segers, Benedicte Deforche
1Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium. eva.dhondt@ugent.be
Insights
Obese children rely more on vision for walking than normal-weight children. Removing vision significantly impacts obese children
Area of Science:
- Biomechanical analysis
- Pediatric motor control
- Obesity research
Background:
- Obesity is linked to lower motor competence in children.
- Perceptual-motor difficulties may underlie these deficits.
- Specific evidence on visual influence is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of altered visual conditions on gait in obese children.
- To compare spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters between obese and normal-weight children under LIGHT and DARK conditions.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-two obese and normal-weight children (11.2±1.5 years) participated.
- Three-dimensional motion analysis was used to assess gait on an instrumented walkway.
- Gait was analyzed under normal (LIGHT) and no-vision (DARK) conditions.
Main Results:
- Obese children showed a more pronounced increase in double support time in the DARK.
- Vision removal affected obese children's temporal gait patterns more significantly.
- Both groups exhibited altered trunk and lower extremity kinematics in the DARK.
Conclusions:
- Obese children demonstrate a greater reliance on visual input for gait control.
- Altered perception-action coupling may contribute to motor coordination issues in obese children.
- Vision is crucial for maintaining gait stability and coordination in obese youth.
Abstract:
Previous research has suggested that perceptual-motor difficulties may account for obese children's lower motor competence; however, specific evidence is currently lacking. Therefore, this study examined the effect of altered visual conditions on spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters in obese versus normal-weight children. Thirty-two obese and normal-weight children (11.2±1.5 years) walked barefoot on an instrumented walkway at constant self-selected speed during LIGHT and DARK conditions. Three-dimensional motion analysis was performed to calculate spatiotemporal parameters, as well as sagittal trunk segment and lower extremity joint angles at heel-strike and toe-off. Self-selected speed did not significantly differ between groups. In the DARK condition, all participants walked at a significantly slower speed, decreased stride length, and increased stride width. Without normal vision, obese children had a more pronounced increase in relative double support time compared to the normal-weight group, resulting in a significantly greater percentage of the gait cycle spent in stance. Walking in the DARK, both groups showed greater forward tilt of the trunk and restricted hip movement. All participants had increased knee flexion at heel-strike, as well as decreased knee extension and ankle plantarflexion at toe-off in the DARK condition. The removal of normal vision affected obese children's temporal gait pattern to a larger extent than that of normal-weight peers. Results suggest an increased dependency on vision in obese children to control locomotion. Next to the mechanical problem of moving excess mass, a different coupling between perception and action appears to be governing obese children's motor coordination and control.
