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Human-Human Interaction Forces and Interlimb Coordination During Side-by-Side Walking With Hand Contact.
Francesca Sylos-Labini1,2, Andrea d'Avella1,3, Francesco Lacquaniti1,2,4
1Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
Frontiers in Physiology
|March 23, 2018
Summary
When walking together, people often synchronize steps unintentionally through hand contact. This study reveals that interaction forces, not just visual cues, play a key role in this common gait coordination.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human gait analysis
- Haptic interaction
Background:
- Gait synchronization commonly occurs between side-by-side walkers.
- Haptic interaction, particularly hand contact, is a natural part of human walking.
- Limited research exists on the forces involved in hand-contact-mediated gait synchronization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of physical interaction forces in unintentional gait synchronization.
- To analyze the effects of hand contact on limb kinematics, muscle activity, and interaction forces during walking.
Main Methods:
- Eight pairs of adults walked on treadmills, both independently and with hand contact.
- 3D interaction forces, limb kinematics, and upper limb muscle EMG were recorded.
- Visual and auditory cues were obstructed to isolate haptic sensory information.
Main Results:
- Unintentional step frequency locking occurred in 88% of pairs with hand contact (40% of the time).
- Contact arm oscillation amplitude decreased, while the free arm's oscillation remained similar.
- Shoulder muscle EMG activity and patterns were conserved in the contact arm; synchronized steps showed more regular force orientations.
Conclusions:
- Gait synchronization during natural walking is common and can be mediated by interaction forces.
- Conservation of proximal muscle activity suggests neural coupling for arm-leg coordination.
- Individuals may integrate force interaction cues for communicating and coordinating steps during walking.
Keywords:
EMG activityarm-leg coordinationhuman gaitinteraction forcesinterpersonal coordinationlocomotor patternsMore Related Videos
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