Humans Exploit the Biomechanics of Bipedal Gait During Visually Guided Walking over Complex Terrain

Overview

Journal Proc Biol Sci

Specialty Biology

Date 2013 May 10

PMID 23658204

Citations 28

Authors

Jonathan Samir Matthis

Brett R Fajen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

How do humans achieve such remarkable energetic efficiency when walking over complex terrain such as a rocky trail? Recent research in biomechanics suggests that the efficiency of human walking over flat, obstacle-free terrain derives from the ability to exploit the physical dynamics of our bodies. In this study, we investigated whether this principle also applies to visually guided walking over complex terrain. We found that when humans can see the immediate foreground as little as two step lengths ahead, they are able to choose footholds that allow them to exploit their biomechanical structure as efficiently as they can with unlimited visual information. We conclude that when humans walk over complex terrain, they use visual information from two step lengths ahead to choose footholds that allow them to approximate the energetic efficiency of walking in flat, obstacle-free environments.

Citing Articles

Stochastic galvanic vestibular stimulation improves kinetic performance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis during obstacle negotiation.

Xie H, Li Y, Zhao L, Chien J, Wang C Exp Brain Res. 2025; 243(2):47.

PMID: 39825939 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-024-06995-5.

Bouncing bones-ancient wisdom meets modern science in a new take on locomotion.

Levin S, Lowell de Solorzano S Front Physiol. 2024; 15:1432410.

PMID: 39403564 PMC: 11471642. DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1432410.

The speed and phase of locomotion dictate saccade probability and simultaneous low-frequency power spectra.

Barnes L, Davidson M, Alais D Atten Percept Psychophys. 2024; 87(1):245-260.

PMID: 39048846 PMC: 11845409. DOI: 10.3758/s13414-024-02932-4.

Walking modulates visual detection performance according to stride cycle phase.

Davidson M, Verstraten F, Alais D Nat Commun. 2024; 15(1):2027.

PMID: 38453900 PMC: 10920920. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45780-4.

Consequences of changing planned foot placement on balance control and forward progress.

Kreter N, Fino P J R Soc Interface. 2024; 21(211):20230577.

PMID: 38350615 PMC: 10864096. DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0577.

References

Kuo A . Energetics of actively powered locomotion using the simplest walking model. J Biomech Eng. 2002; 124(1):113-20. DOI: 10.1115/1.1427703. View

Andujar J, Lajoie K, Drew T . A contribution of area 5 of the posterior parietal cortex to the planning of visually guided locomotion: limb-specific and limb-independent effects. J Neurophysiol. 2009; 103(2):986-1006. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00912.2009. View

Collins S, Ruina A, Tedrake R, Wisse M . Efficient bipedal robots based on passive-dynamic walkers. Science. 2005; 307(5712):1082-5. DOI: 10.1126/science.1107799. View

Verdaasdonk B, Koopman H, van der Helm F . Energy efficient walking with central pattern generators: from passive dynamic walking to biologically inspired control. Biol Cybern. 2009; 101(1):49-61. DOI: 10.1007/s00422-009-0316-7. View

Patla A, Vickers J . How far ahead do we look when required to step on specific locations in the travel path during locomotion?. Exp Brain Res. 2002; 148(1):133-8. DOI: 10.1007/s00221-002-1246-y. View

Kuo A, Donelan J . Dynamic principles of gait and their clinical implications. Phys Ther. 2009; 90(2):157-74. PMC: 2816028. DOI: 10.2522/ptj.20090125. View

Bauby C, Kuo A . Active control of lateral balance in human walking. J Biomech. 2000; 33(11):1433-40. DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9290(00)00101-9. View

Ivanenko Y, Dominici N, Cappellini G, Dan B, Cheron G, Lacquaniti F . Development of pendulum mechanism and kinematic coordination from the first unsupported steps in toddlers. J Exp Biol. 2004; 207(Pt 21):3797-810. DOI: 10.1242/jeb.01214. View

Lovejoy C . The natural history of human gait and posture. Part 3. The knee. Gait Posture. 2006; 25(3):325-41. DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.05.001. View

10.

Cavagna G, Margaria R . Mechanics of walking. J Appl Physiol. 1966; 21(1):271-8. DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1966.21.1.271. View

11.

de Rugy A, Montagne G, Buekers M, Laurent M . The control of human locomotor pointing under restricted informational conditions. Neurosci Lett. 2000; 281(2-3):87-90. DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(00)00827-2. View

12.

Mohagheghi A, Moraes R, Patla A . The effects of distant and on-line visual information on the control of approach phase and step over an obstacle during locomotion. Exp Brain Res. 2004; 155(4):459-68. DOI: 10.1007/s00221-003-1751-7. View

13.

Donelan J, Kram R, Kuo A . Mechanical work for step-to-step transitions is a major determinant of the metabolic cost of human walking. J Exp Biol. 2002; 205(Pt 23):3717-27. DOI: 10.1242/jeb.205.23.3717. View

14.

Zeni Jr J, Richards J, Higginson J . Two simple methods for determining gait events during treadmill and overground walking using kinematic data. Gait Posture. 2007; 27(4):710-4. PMC: 2384115. DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2007.07.007. View

15.

Marigold D, Patla A . Gaze fixation patterns for negotiating complex ground terrain. Neuroscience. 2006; 144(1):302-13. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.09.006. View

16.

Matthis J, Fajen B . Visual control of foot placement when walking over complex terrain. J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform. 2013; 40(1):106-15. DOI: 10.1037/a0033101. View

17.

Peyrot N, Thivel D, Isacco L, Morin J, Duche P, Belli A . Do mechanical gait parameters explain the higher metabolic cost of walking in obese adolescents?. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2009; 106(6):1763-70. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.91240.2008. View

18.

OConnor S, Kuo A . Direction-dependent control of balance during walking and standing. J Neurophysiol. 2009; 102(3):1411-9. PMC: 2746770. DOI: 10.1152/jn.00131.2009. View

19.

Garcia M, Chatterjee A, Ruina A, Coleman M . The simplest walking model: stability, complexity, and scaling. J Biomech Eng. 1999; 120(2):281-8. DOI: 10.1115/1.2798313. View

20.

Cavagna G, Heglund N, Taylor C . Mechanical work in terrestrial locomotion: two basic mechanisms for minimizing energy expenditure. Am J Physiol. 1977; 233(5):R243-61. DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.1977.233.5.R243. View