Obstacle crossing with lower visual field restriction: shifts in strategy

In this study, the authors investigated how restriction of the vertical viewing angle influences obstacle-crossing behavior. Twelve participants stepped over obstacles of different dimensions while wearing visual-field-restricting goggles. Using full-body motion capture, several kinematic measures were extracted and analyzed. Results indicate that both a 40° and 90° vertical viewing angle yielded increased step length and toe clearance as compared to an unrestricted view (i.e., 135°), whereas speed remained unaltered. A further decrease (to 25°) caused participants to slow down in addition to a further increase of step length and toe clearance. These results are discussed in terms of a change in priorities, from conservation of energy and time to safety.