Information about task duration influences energetic cost during split-belt adaptation and retention of walking patterns post-adaptation.

ABSTRACT: Studies of locomotor adaptation have shown that adaptation can occur in short bouts and can continue for long bouts or across days. Information about task duration might influence the adaptation of gait features, given that task duration influences the time available to explore and adapt the aspects of gait that reduce energy cost. We hypothesized that information about task duration influences adaptation to split-belt walking based on two competing mechanisms: individuals anticipating a prolonged adaptation period may either (1) extend exploration of energetically suboptimal gait patterns, or (2) adapt toward a more energy-efficient pattern earlier to maintain an energetic reserve to sustain the task longer. We tested three groups: N=19 participants received minute-by-minute updates durin

SUBMITTER: Jeffcoat S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11142228 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature