Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
06:21
Postural Organization of Gait Initiation for Biomechanical Analysis Using Force Platform Recordings
Published on: July 26, 2022
Gait initiation is affected during emotional conflict
Thierry Gélat1, Laure Coudrat, Armande Le Pellec
1Centre de Recherche sur le Sport et le Mouvement, EA 2931, UFR STAPS Université Paris Ouest Nanterre, 200 avenue de la république, 92001 Nanterre Cedex, France. thierry.gelat@u-paris10.fr
Neuroscience Letters
|May 5, 2011
Summary
Emotionally conflicting images delayed gait initiation and reduced postural adjustments in young adults. Prior exposure to conflicting stimuli improved postural responses, suggesting a transient defensive mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
- Psychology
Background:
- Emotional stimuli can influence motor control.
- Gait initiation involves complex motor planning and postural adjustments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of emotion-eliciting images on gait initiation.
- To examine the role of emotional conflict in motor output.
- To assess if prior emotional conflict impacts subsequent motor responses.
Main Methods:
- 15 young adults performed gait initiation tasks towards pleasant or unpleasant images.
- Congruent (CO) and incongruent (IC) tasks were used with a go/nogo paradigm.
- Reaction times and kinematic data (postural adjustments, gait parameters) were recorded.
Main Results:
- Incongruent (IC) trials showed longer reaction times compared to congruent (CO) trials, indicating cognitive interference.
- Early postural adjustment amplitudes were reduced in IC trials, suggesting a transient defensive response.
- Prior IC trials improved postural response amplitude in subsequent trials, but not reaction time.
Conclusions:
- Emotional conflict during gait initiation interferes with cognitive resources for motor planning.
- A transient defensive or freezing-like behavior may occur during emotionally incongruent tasks.
- Repeated exposure to emotional conflict can enhance motor response adaptation.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Emotion-focused coping refers to a set of strategies aimed at managing the emotional impact of stressors, rather than directly addressing their causes. This approach involves altering one's emotional response to stressful situations to reduce their psychological effects. For example, individuals might talk with a friend or engage in activities like journaling to express their feelings. Such actions can help achieve emotional clarity or release, providing the psychological stability needed to...
01:47Aggression
Humans engage in aggression when they seek to cause harm or pain to another person. Aggression takes two forms depending on one’s motives: hostile or instrumental. Hostile aggression is motivated by feelings of anger with intent to cause pain; a fight in a bar with a stranger is an example of hostile aggression. In contrast, instrumental aggression is motivated by achieving a goal and does not necessarily involve intent to cause pain (Berkowitz, 1993); a contract killer who murders for hire...
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be interpreted as...
01:20Frustration and Conflict: Approach-Approach, Approach-Avoidance
Frustration occurs when people are obstructed or prevented from achieving a desired goal or fulfilling a perceived need. For example, when someone's input is ignored in a discussion, it can lead to feelings of frustration. Conflict, however, arises from opposing interests, goals, or actions. Conflicts can take various forms based on the nature of these opposing desires or goals.
One common type of conflict is the Approach–Approach Conflict. In this case, a person faces two desirable options,...
One common type of conflict is the Approach–Approach Conflict. In this case, a person faces two desirable options,...
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
01:26Emotional Expression
Emotional expression encompasses how individuals convey their emotions through verbal communication and non-verbal cues. These non-verbal actions include facial expressions, body language, and physical gestures, such as frowning or smiling. Among these, facial expressions play a crucial role in emotional expression and are understood universally, indicating a biological basis for how humans communicate emotions.
Universal Facial Expressions
Psychologist Paul Ekman identified seven basic...
Universal Facial Expressions
Psychologist Paul Ekman identified seven basic...