Individuals Exhibit Varied Risk Aversion When Entering Novel Environments While Walking
Presenter Type
UNO Graduate Student (Doctoral)
Major/Field of Study
Biomechanics
Advisor Information
Nathaniel Hunt
Location
CEC RM #201/205/209
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
22-3-2024 1:00 PM
End Date
22-3-2024 2:15 PM
Abstract
Individuals Exhibit Varied Risk Aversion When Entering Novel Environments While Walking
INTRODUCTION
Throughout our lives, humans continuously learn and adapt their motor control patterns. Even our fundamental movement, such as walking, undergoes adaptation and variation in diverse environments. However, individuals employ distinct strategies to adapt to their respective environments and solve problems differently. Thus, our research aims to demonstrate the existence of individual differences in walking adaptation. We anticipate varying levels of risk aversion among individuals, underscoring the importance of understanding individualized responses to environmental stimuli.
METHODS
This study, conducted as part of a larger project, utilized the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN, Motek, Amsterdam, Netherlands), comprising a treadmill mounted on a movable platform. Participants underwent 40 minutes of continuous walking, experiencing two 5-minute perturbations: widening and narrowing of step width. Changes in step width during and after the perturbations were measured.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Following 5-minute perturbations narrowing step width, all participants exhibited widened step width aftereffects. However, after perturbations widening step width, significant individual differences emerged. While some widened their step width, others narrowed it. Given that widening step width provides a larger base of support in unstable walking environments, we investigated whether participants maintained consistent step width changes when encountering new walking conditions. Results consistently showed individual-specific step width changes upon entering new environments, suggesting varied risk aversion strategies. Future research should explore how these individual differences in risk aversion affect adaptation to environments and the risk of falls.
Individuals Exhibit Varied Risk Aversion When Entering Novel Environments While Walking
CEC RM #201/205/209
Individuals Exhibit Varied Risk Aversion When Entering Novel Environments While Walking
INTRODUCTION
Throughout our lives, humans continuously learn and adapt their motor control patterns. Even our fundamental movement, such as walking, undergoes adaptation and variation in diverse environments. However, individuals employ distinct strategies to adapt to their respective environments and solve problems differently. Thus, our research aims to demonstrate the existence of individual differences in walking adaptation. We anticipate varying levels of risk aversion among individuals, underscoring the importance of understanding individualized responses to environmental stimuli.
METHODS
This study, conducted as part of a larger project, utilized the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN, Motek, Amsterdam, Netherlands), comprising a treadmill mounted on a movable platform. Participants underwent 40 minutes of continuous walking, experiencing two 5-minute perturbations: widening and narrowing of step width. Changes in step width during and after the perturbations were measured.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Following 5-minute perturbations narrowing step width, all participants exhibited widened step width aftereffects. However, after perturbations widening step width, significant individual differences emerged. While some widened their step width, others narrowed it. Given that widening step width provides a larger base of support in unstable walking environments, we investigated whether participants maintained consistent step width changes when encountering new walking conditions. Results consistently showed individual-specific step width changes upon entering new environments, suggesting varied risk aversion strategies. Future research should explore how these individual differences in risk aversion affect adaptation to environments and the risk of falls.