Gait and the lower visual field.
/Gait and the eyes. We forget about the eyes. If you have vision issues, your gait may change.
Gaze during adaptive gait involving obstacle crossing is typically directed two or more steps ahead where as visual information of the “in the moment” swinging lower-limb and its relative position during the task is available in the lower visual field. This study determined exactly when visual information is utilised to control/update lead-limb swing trajectory during obstacle negotiation.
In this study, when the lower visual field was blocked out the foot-placement distance and toe-clearance became significantly increased, suggesting the brain overcorrecting for safety. A logical assumption. “These findings suggest that lower visual field input is typically used in an online manner to control/update final foot-placement, and that without such control, uncertainty regarding foot placement causes toe-clearance to be increased.”
