This study explores how upper limb movements adapt when visual input is limited, using 3D motion analysis and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) data. Conducted with seven healthy participants, the research involved walking on a treadmill under normal vision and simulated visual impairment using stroboscopic glasses. The glasses, set at a frequency of 6Hz, aimed to mimic conditions of limited vision, compelling participants to rely more on proprioceptive and vestibular senses for balance.
Contrary to the hypothesis, the results showed no significant change in upper limb kinematics, such as wrist acceleration and hand distance, between normal and visually impaired conditions. This suggests that mild visual impairments might not drastically alter upper limb movements in healthy individuals. The findings highlight the importance of future research with varied visual impairment intensities and longer task durations to better understand the subtleties of gait adaptation.
These insights could have potential applications in developing rehabilitation strategies and assistive technologies for individuals with visual impairments. Understanding how the upper body compensates for changes in visual input can contribute to more effective designs in wearable technology and therapy programs aimed at improving mobility.
Links:
Full Text: https://www.igminresearch.com/articles/html/igmin138
DOI Link: https://dx.doi.org/10.61927/igmin138
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