Anyone walking in the city has to adjust their gait again and again to kerbs or steps. Every person develops control strategies for the changes in muscle activity required for this, which protect them from tripping and falling accidents. Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have now analysed these strategies and their effectiveness for the first time, using computer simulations. They were able to show that a strategy based on visual perception, which prepares the muscles for differences in height at an early stage, protects far better than situational muscle reflexes. Their study is presented in "Scientific Reports".

Read the press release published by University of Bayreuth

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