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Movement variability emerges in gait as adaptation to task constraints in dynamic environments
Carla Caballero1, Keith Davids2, Ben Heller2
1Department of Sport Sciences. Sport Research Center, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Av. de la Universidad s/n., CP: 03202, Elche, Alicante, Spain.
Gait & Posture
|February 17, 2019
Summary
Task constraints like track width and surface stiffness alter motor variability during walking. Changes in movement variability structure reveal adaptive strategies for regulating gait performance and achieving task goals.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human motor control
- Robotics
Background:
- Motor variability is crucial for human adaptive behaviors, but its relationship with motor control is complex.
- Task constraints significantly influence movement organization and variability, potentially resolving controversies in the field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how manipulating task constraints affects the magnitude and structure of motor variability in walking.
- To explore the relationship between task goal achievement and the structure of motor variability.
Main Methods:
- Twenty participants walked under 8 conditions with manipulated track width, surface stiffness, and walking direction.
- Kinematic variability was assessed using standard deviation (SD), mean velocity (MV), Fuzzy Entropy (FE), and Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA).
Main Results:
- Narrower tracks reduced SD and MV, increasing variability's autocorrelation (higher DFA).
- Foam surfaces increased movement amplitude, velocity, and irregularity (higher FE).
Conclusions:
- Task constraints dynamically shape emergent movement coordination patterns during walking.
- Changes in variability structure reflect adaptive strategies and a direct relationship between system variability and movement performance.
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