Flow Can Make You Run: Effects of Optic Flow on the Overground Walk-to-Run Transition

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONInformation from the visual system plays an important role in the regulation of locomotion. Perturbations of optic flow can have a powerful influence on whole body velocity in humans [1]. Mohler et al [2] indicated in a ramped protocol that mismatching treadmill speed and perceived speed by optic flow (by means of virtual reality) can evoke changes in walk-to-run transition speed. However, as perceiving an optic flow, which is related to walking speed, is very unusual (non familiar) on treadmill, it is necessary to confirm these findings in an ecological overground experiment in order to accept optic flow as a determinant of the WRT. Therefore, an overground experiment was conducted to investigate whether subjects, who experience an optic flow which is faster or slower then their actual walking speed, will change from walking to running at a respectively lower/higher transition speed.