Article

The present experiment was conducted to examine the expectation that emotion
stimuli influence the initiation and execution of voluntary stepping, a highly
coordinated activity involving a sequence of medio-lateral and anterio-posterior
weight shifts. Thirty participants made forward (approach) or backward
(avoidance) steps on a forceplate in response to the valence of visual stimuli.
Posturographic parameters of the steps, related to automatic stimulus evaluation,
step initiation and step execution, were determined and analyzed as a function of
stimulus valence and stimulus-response mapping. The results revealed marked
effects of emotion on the step parameters of interest; unpleasant images caused
an initial "freezing" response, and a tendency to move away from the stimuli.
Pleasant stimuli, in contrast, were not found to induce approach tendencies. The
results demonstrated that affect, especially negative emotions, and whole-body
movements such as voluntary stepping are coupled.
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Langue : ANGLAIS