Simulated Visual Field Loss Does Not Alter Turning Coordination in Healthy Young Adults

ABSTRACT

Turning, while walking, is an important component of adaptive locomotion. Current hypotheses regarding the motor control of body segment coordination during turning suggest heavy influence of visual information. The authors aimed to examine whether visual field impairment (central loss or peripheral loss) affects body segment coordination during walking turns in healthy young adults. No significant differences in the onset time of segments or intersegment coordination were observed because of visual field occlusion. These results suggest that healthy young adults can use visual information obtained from central and peripheral visual fields interchangeably, pointing to flexibility of visuomotor control in healthy young adults. Further study in populations with chronic visual impairment and those with turning difficulties are warranted.

Keywords:

• turning
• steering synergy
• vision
• visuomotor
• locomotion

The authors would like to thank the undergraduate students for their help in data collection and analysis.

Additional information

Funding

This project was partially funded through the student summer research experience award (Dr. Reed-Jones) provided by the Office of Research and Provost of The University of Texas at El Paso.