The Precision Of Locomotor Odometry In Humans

Authors

Frank H. Durgin, Swarthmore CollegeFollow
Mikio Akagi , '08
C. R. Gallistel
W. Haiken

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2009

Published In

Experimental Brain Research

Abstract

Two experiments measured the human ability to reproduce locomotor distances of 4.6–100 m without visual feedback and compared distance production with time production. Subjects were not permitted to count steps. It was found that the precision of human odometry follows Weber’s law that variability is proportional to distance. The coefficients of variation for distance production were much lower than those measured for time production for similar durations. Gait parameters recorded during the task (average step length and step frequency) were found to be even less variable suggesting that step integration could be the basis for non-visual human odometry.

Comments

This work is freely available courtesy of the author.

Recommended Citation

Frank H. Durgin; Mikio Akagi , '08; C. R. Gallistel; and W. Haiken. (2009). "The Precision Of Locomotor Odometry In Humans". Experimental Brain Research. Volume 193, Issue 3. 429-436. DOI: 10.1007/s00221-008-1640-1
https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-psychology/44