Speed-Dependent Modulation of Gait Performance Under Visual Deprivation in Young Adults

This study aimed to examine the effects of the presence or absence of visual information (eyes open or eyes closed), leg dominance (dominant leg or nondominant leg), and gait speed (normal gait or maximum gait) on gait performance. The participants (30 young adults 21.3 ± 0.8 years) performed 10-m walking tests with a small triaxial accelerometer attached to their waist. They performed normal and maximum gait tests under two conditions: eyes open and eyes closed. The gait performance evaluation parameters were gait speed, stride, step length, cadence, stance phase, swing phase, double support phase and single support phase. The results of Bayesian mixed-effects model analysis showed that visual condition (eyes open) had a positive effect on many parameters during normal gait speed; however, this effect tended to decrease during maximum gait speed. There were no clear effects for leg dominance or its interaction with visual information. These results suggest that visual information plays an important role in gait control and that its effect depends on the gait speed. Therefore, gait evaluation based on differences in gait speed and sensory integration modalities might be useful in understanding the diversity of gait control mechanisms.