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Project

Biomechanical analysis of gait in the absence of visual feedback information.

In human, goal directed locomotion is largely dependent on vision. In case of conflicting sensory information, the visual feedback wil dominate the outcome of movement (Desphande & Patla, 2006). Vision is also predominant in maintaining balance (Juodzbaliene et al., 2006). The visually disabled form a population in which visual feedback information is absent for a long period of time. This allows to investigate the effect of visual deprivation on motor control. The goal of this study is to investigate the efficiency of gait in the visually disabled in order to gain more insight into the control of locomotion. Attention is paid to gait for several reasons. First, humans are unique in showing bipedal gait as their habitual way of locomotion. Effecient locomotion is essentiel for survival. Also in our modern society locomotor problems hinder activities of daily life. Secondly, the normal gait pattern is already well characterised, both in adults and in children. This study considers three different populations: congenitally blind adults, congenitally blind children between 3 and 10 years old and children between 3 and 10 showing a severe visual impairment. In all groups, postural control and gait will be characterized.
Date:1 Jan 2008 →  31 Dec 2010
Keywords:BIOMECHANICS
Disciplines:Biomechanics, Orthopaedics, Education curriculum