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Title
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Low vision affects dynamic stability of gait
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Author
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Abstract
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| The objective of this study was to demonstrate specific differences in gait patterns between those with and without a visual impairment. We performed a biomechanical analysis of the gait pattern of young adults (27 ± 13 years old) with a visual impairment (n = 10) in an uncluttered environment and compared it to the gait pattern of age matched controls (n = 20). Normally sighted adults were tested in a full vision and no vision condition. Differences are found in gait between both groups and both situations. Adults with a visual impairment walked with a shorter stride length (1.14 ± 0.21 m), less trunk flexion (4.55 ± 5.14°) and an earlier plantar foot contact at heel strike (1.83 ± 3.49°) than sighted individuals (1.39 ± 0.08 m; 11.07 ± 4.01°; 5.10 ± 3.53°). When sighted individuals were blindfolded (no vision condition) they showed similar gait adaptations as well as a slower walking speed (0.84 ± 0.28 m s−1), a lower cadence (96.88 ± 13.71 steps min−1) and limited movements of the hip (38.24 ± 6.27°) and the ankle in the saggital plane (−5.60 ± 5.07°) compared to a full vision condition (1.27 ± 0.13 m s−1; 110.55 ± 7.09 steps min−1; 45.32 ± 4.57°; −16.51 ± 6.59°). Results showed that even in an uncluttered environment vision is important for locomotion control. The differences between those with and without a visual impairment, and between the full vision and no vision conditions, may reflect a more cautious walking strategy and adaptive changes employed to use the foot to probe the ground for haptic exploration. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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Gait and posture. - Oxford
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Publication
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Oxford
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2010
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ISSN
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0966-6362
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DOI
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10.1016/J.GAITPOST.2010.07.018
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Volume/pages
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32
:4
(2010)
, p. 547-551
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ISI
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000285235300020
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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