Matching optical flow to motor speed in virtual reality while running on a treadmill

Caramenti, Martina; Lafortuna, Claudio L.; Mugellini, Elena; Abou Khaled, Omar; Bresciani, Jean-Pierre; Dubois, Amandine

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0195781

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Journal article

Matching optical flow to motor speed in virtual reality while running on a treadmill

Caramenti, Martina Department of Neuroscience and Movement Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland - Istituto di Bioimmagini e Fisiologia Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Segrate, Milano, Italy - HumanTech Institute, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Fribourg, Switzerland
Lafortuna, Claudio L. Istituto di Bioimmagini e Fisiologia Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Segrate, Milano, Italy
Mugellini, Elena HumanTech Institute, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Fribourg, Switzerland
Abou Khaled, Omar HumanTech Institute, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Fribourg, Switzerland
Bresciani, Jean-Pierre Department of Neuroscience and Movement Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Dubois, Amandine Department of Neuroscience and Movement Science, University of Fribourg, Switzerland

11.04.2018

Published in:

PLOS ONE. - 2018, vol. 13, no. 4, p. e0195781

English We investigated how visual and kinaesthetic/efferent information is integrated for speed perception in running. Twelve moderately trained to trained subjects ran on a treadmill at three different speeds (8, 10, 12 km/h) in front of a moving virtual scene. They were asked to match the visual speed of the scene to their running speed–i.e., treadmill’s speed. For each trial, participants indicated whether the scene was moving slower or faster than they were running. Visual speed was adjusted according to their response using a staircase until the Point of Subjective Equality (PSE) was reached, i.e., until visual and running speed were perceived as equivalent. For all three running speeds, participants systematically underestimated the visual speed relative to their actual running speed. Indeed, the speed of the visual scene had to exceed the actual running speed in order to be perceived as equivalent to the treadmill speed. The underestimation of visual speed was speed-dependent, and percentage of underestimation relative to running speed ranged from 15% at 8km/h to 31% at 12km/h. We suggest that this fact should be taken into consideration to improve the design of attractive treadmill-mediated virtual environments enhancing engagement into physical activity for healthier lifestyles and disease prevention and care.

Faculty

Faculté des sciences et de médecine

Department

Département de Médecine

Language