Measured and modeled transitions between self-paced walking and synchronization with rhythmic auditory cues
Clémence Vandamme1,2, Virginie Otlet3, Renaud Ronsse4
1Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, Electronics and Applied Mathematics, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|November 3, 2025
Summary
Using a metronome changes stride-to-stride variability. Long-range autocorrelations in stride durations decrease when a metronome is introduced and recover when removed, indicating flexible gait control.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Motor Control
- Dynamical Systems
Background:
- Gait rhythm can be constrained using a metronome, affecting gait patterns.
- Rhythmic cues can alter long-range autocorrelations (LRA) in stride duration series.
- Transitions between metronome and non-metronome walking are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how healthy individuals adapt to changes in gait tasks involving metronome cues.
- To measure the evolution of LRA during transitions into and out of metronome-constrained walking.
- To model the relationship between task changes and LRA dynamics.
Main Methods:
- 21 healthy volunteers walked overground under control and two metronome conditions (start/stop).
- Long-range autocorrelations (LRA) were assessed using a sliding window on stride duration series.
- A computational model was used to reproduce experimental observations.
Main Results:
- A clear transition in LRA was observed when the metronome was introduced or removed.
- LRA decreased during metronome walking and recovered upon its cessation.
- The model reproduced these LRA changes via an instantaneous switch in control policy.
Conclusions:
- Gait adaptations to metronome cues involve rapid changes in control strategies.
- Long-range autocorrelations emerge from flexible control that adjusts to task demands.
- Metronome use dynamically alters the intrinsic variability of gait timing.
