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When an Object Appears Unexpectedly: Object Circumvention in Adults.
Kate Wilmut1, Wenchong Du2, Anna L Barnett1
1a Perception and Movement Analysis Lab, Oxford Brookes University , Oxford , United Kingdom.
Journal of Motor Behavior
|June 21, 2017
Summary
Adults adapt walking strategies before encountering obstacles, increasing trunk movement. They then adjust foot placement, taking shorter, wider steps to maintain stability and successfully navigate around impediments.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human locomotion
- Motor control
Background:
- Unexpected obstacles frequently necessitate immediate gait adjustments.
- Limited research exists on adaptive walking strategies for circumventing obstacles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how adults adjust their gait in anticipation of and response to unexpected obstacles.
- To analyze changes in trunk movement and foot placement during obstacle avoidance.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen healthy adults walked on a walkway with potential gate obstructions.
- Trials included conditions with and without a gate partially obstructing the path.
- Mediolateral trunk velocity, acceleration, and foot placement were recorded.
Main Results:
- Mediolateral trunk velocity and acceleration increased significantly before obstacle appearance.
- Adults adopted a strategy of shorter, wider steps away from the obstacle.
- These adjustments facilitated successful obstacle circumvention.
Conclusions:
- Healthy adults exhibit adaptive walking strategies to prepare for and navigate around obstacles.
- Combined adjustments in trunk movement and foot placement enhance stability during obstacle avoidance.
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