Article

Path integration refers to the ability to integrate continuous information of the
direction and distance traveled by the system relative to the origin. Previous
studies have investigated path integration through blindfolded walking along
simple paths such as straight line and triangles. However, limited knowledge
exists regarding the role of path complexity in path integration. Moreover,
little is known about how information from different sensory input systems (like
vision and proprioception) contributes to accurate path integration. The purpose
of the current study was to investigate how sensory information and curved path
complexity affect path integration. Forty blindfolded participants had to
accurately reproduce a curved path and return to the origin. They were divided
into four groups that differed in the curved path, circle (simple) or
figure-eight (complex), and received either visual (previously seen) or
proprioceptive (previously guided) information about the path before they
reproduced it. The dependent variables used were average trajectory error,
walking speed, and distance traveled. The results indicated that (a) both groups
that walked on a circular path and both groups that received visual information
produced greater accuracy in reproducing the path. Moreover, the performance of
the group that received proprioceptive information and later walked on a
figure-eight path was less accurate than their corresponding circular group. The
groups that had the visual information also walked faster compared to the group
that had proprioceptive information. Results of the current study highlight the
roles of different sensory inputs while performing blindfolded walking for path
integration.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS