Background: Visual-gait coupling, in which saccadic eye movements regulate the body's center of mass (CoM), is fundamental for maintaining dynamic stability.However, previous research has primarily focused on optic flow or dual-task paradigms, leaving the specific influence of parameterizing saccadic visual demands during self-paced locomotion insufficiently explored.Objects: This study investigated how saccadic visual stimulation, varying in direction (horizontal vs. vertical VT) and frequency (0.5 vs. 1.1 Hz), modulates spatiotemporal gait characteristics and CoM-based dynamic stability during self-paced walking on a curved non-motorized treadmill.Methods: Twenty-five healthy young adults walked for 30 seconds at a comfortable selfselected pace on a curved non-motorized treadmill under four visual conditions: forward gaze, horizontal saccades at 0.5 Hz, VT saccades at 1.1 Hz, and horizontal saccades at 1.1 Hz.Gait parameters were recorded with inertial sensors and synchronized insoles, and CoM parameters were derived from inertial measurement unit-based segment kinematics.Results: Gait speed, cadence, and stride length were greatest during horizontal saccades at 1.1 Hz, whereas stride time was longest under forward gaze (p < 0.05).Mediolateral (ML) and VT CoM displacements, as well as CoM path length, were significantly larger under horizontal 1.1 Hz compared with forward gaze and VT saccades, indicating amplified postural demands (p < 0.05).Stance duration decreased and swing duration increased during horizontal 1.1 Hz saccades (p < 0.05). Conclusion:Saccadic visual stimulation reorganized propulsion-stability balance during selfpaced walking in a direction-and frequency-specific manner, indicating the need to consider both factors when developing visuomotor gait training strategies to enhance ML control without compromising progression.
Kim et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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