Effect of simulated transient visual restrictions on gait

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to elucidate changes in gait with temporarily changing of visual information such as visual acuity and visual field. The participants included 10 young people (aged 16.4 ± 0.5 years) with normal vision. We created four visual conditions (normal eyesight, acuity lowered to 0.02, visual field restricted to 5°, and blindness) using eye masks and simulation lenses. Participants required to walked three times on a levelled 20 m walkway for all condition in a randomized order. The gait patterns were recorded with high-speed cameras at 250 frames/s. Gait parameters, including stride length, gait speed, lower limb joint angles, and head angle during the gait cycle, were then analyzed. The results showed gait speed and stride length of three simulated visual conditions were significantly decreased in compared to normal vision (p < 0.05). Moreover, the lower limb joint angles at heel contact and at toe-off were significantly differed as the vision abilities changes (p < 0.05). In particular, the ankle joint during blindness condition was in greater plantarflexion (p < 0.05). Because use of peripheral vision was difficult under visual field restriction, the head tended to bend forward as if to gather information from the area around the feet. These results suggest that gait parameters potentially affect by changes in visual acuity and visual field.