Evidence of Energetic Optimization during Adaptation Differs for Metabolic, Mechanical, and Perceptual Estimates of Energetic Cost.

ABSTRACT: The theory that the sensorimotor system minimizes energetic cost during locomotion has long been supported by both computational models and empirical studies. However, it has yet to be determined if the behavior to which people converge when exposed to a novel perturbation during locomotion is also energetically optimal. We address this issue in the context of adaptation to walking on a split-belt treadmill, which can impose a left-right asymmetry in step lengths. In response to this asymmetry, participants gradually adjust their foot placement to adopt steps of equal length. Here, we characterized metabolic, mechanical, and perceptual estimates of energetic cost associated with a range of asymmetries to determine whether symmetry is the energetically optimal strategy for walking on a spli

SUBMITTER: Sanchez N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5550492 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature