Changes in motor actions in the face of varying task constraints

Skilled motor actions require adapting to change to cope with multiple sources of variability [1]. One source of variability is the environment, which creates constraints. For instance, the ground is not usually flat and uniform. Surfaces are rife with obstacles or slopes. Under such conditions, adults have walked more slowly when approaching high versus low obstacles [2] and taken shorter steps to descend steep slopes [3]. Even healthy individuals reduce their cadence by maintaining their step length when walking on uneven surfaces [4].

Source: Gait and Posture - August 13, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Daekyoo Kim, Xia Pu, Nicole Woo, Simone V. Gill Source Type: research