Effect of self-produced locomotion on infant postural compensation to optic flow.

This research demonstrates that experiences associated with early self-produced locomotion facilitate a developmental shift in the visual control of posture. Results showed greater use of optic flow for postural control (as measured in a moving room) after self-produced locomotor experience. Infants with endogenous (creeping) or artificial (walker) self-produced locomotor experience responded to portions of the optic flow field, whereas prelocomotor infants did not. Taken together, these findings suggest that self-produced locomotion facilitates differential use of smaller portions of the optic flow field. Findings will be discussed in terms of how perceptual experiences associated with moving the selfin space bring about important changes in visual proprioception.