Abstract
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of optical flow on reach distance and the influence of posture and optical flow on self estimation of physical ability in the functional reach test (FRT). [Subject] The subjects were 46 healthy students. [Methods] Subjects estimated reach distance and performed FRT in each of four conditions: sitting position and standing position without optical flow, and sitting on a moving electric wheelchair and walking with optical flow. [Results] No significant differences were observed in the reach distance and the estimation error (absolute value). In both postures, the estimation error (plus-or-minus value) was larger with optical flow than without it. In standing posture, the ratio of persons who made excessive estimation was significantly higher in walking than standing. [Conclusion] The results suggest that optical flow induces excessive self estimation of physical ability, which is especially, remarkable when moving in the same upright posture of FRT performance. In physical therapy, when performing the tasks accompanying optical flow, we think that it is necessary to take into consideration the minus and plus aspects of overestimation under the influence of optical flow.
