ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2012 June;171(3):331-40

Copyright © 2012 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Changes in gait properties during texting messages by a cell phone. Attention and gait control

Uchiyama M. ¹, Demura S. ², Natsuhori E. ³

¹ Research and Education Center for Comprehensive Science, Akita Prefectural University Kaidobata-Nishi, Shimoshinjo-Nakano, Akita, Japan; ² Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan; ³ Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Minatojimanakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Japan

Aim. Recently, it has been revealed that walking is not merely an automated movement, but something that requires greater focus and attention. However, the influence of cell phone operation on walking has not been sufficiently explored. This study examined the influence of cell phone use on walking under various gait parameters and conditions.
Methods. Twenty university students walked at a self-paced speed while operating or not operating a cell phone. A flat walkway with a space in the middle having a width of either 30 or 50 centimeters that the participant had to walk over was used.
Results. Under both conditions, single and double stance phases significantly increased due to cell phone use. Stance phases during the stepping over motion increased during cell phone operation, but step length and clearance did not.
Conclusion. Cell phone use results in altered gait properties which are observed regardless of the presence or absence of a stepping over motion. It may be necessary to consider the influence of cell phone use on safety while walking.