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Behavioural risk models explain locomotor and balance changes when walking at virtual heights
Nooshin Seddighi1, Nicholas J Woo2, Jaylie Montoya2
1Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
|May 13, 2025
Summary
Humans adapt walking to reduce fall risk by altering proximity to hazards and decreasing side-to-side body sway. This behavior aligns with a risk-based model, showing cost-benefit adjustments in locomotion.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human locomotion
- Virtual reality
Background:
- Fear of falling and anxiety influence daily walking.
- Individuals may adjust balance and gait to manage perceived fall risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if human walking behavior aligns with a risk-based model.
- To examine locomotor adaptations to height-related threats in virtual reality.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments using immersive virtual reality with height-related threats.
- Participants walked on straight and curved paths with varying high-elevation threats.
- Analysis of locomotor trajectory and center of mass velocity.
Main Results:
- Participants altered proximity to high-cost fall threats (e.g., ledges).
- Mediolateral center of mass velocity was reduced when proximity adjustment was not possible.
- Observed behaviors decreased the probability of falling, supporting the risk-based model.
Conclusions:
- Locomotor behavior is adjusted based on the perceived cost of falling.
- Humans actively modify gait to mitigate risks in hazardous environments.
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