Inter-active real-time virtual reality environment to investigate human locomotion

明斯特大学运动与运动科学研究所神经运动行为与运动系、运动科学系和运动心理学系申请主要研究仪器，在具有实时运动捕捉和在线反馈的交互式虚拟环境中研究人体运动。先前的研究获得了实验室条件下人类运动的开创性知识，例如运动参数的年龄相关变化或某些患者。然而，将实验室结果转移到现实世界仍然是一个重大的科学挑战。技术的进步，如虚拟现实（VR），提供了一种创新的方法来提高研究的生态有效性。应用的仪器包括一个基于180°投影的VR环境，一个环绕声系统，以及一个集成了力板的多功能跑步机，所有这些都与VR同步。该仪器配有高分辨率运动捕捉系统，使用红外摄像机和无线肌电图。动作捕捉系统和力板共同构建了与VR和跑步机交互的界面（例如，自定节奏模式）。该仪器为申请人提供了一个独特的环境来研究人类运动过程中感觉，运动和认知系统之间复杂的相互作用，在现实的，但仍然是标准化和安全的实验条件下。它可以控制所有相关的研究参数，并通过VR和跑步机的机械扰动对视觉、听觉和物理刺激进行特定的操作。因此，一个例子可以包括摇摆绳桥的模拟。这种方法上的进步只能通过一个包含上述技术组成部分的完全综合和同步的系统来实现。此外，有可能并计划实施第三方设备（例如眼动仪，EEG, fNIRS, tES）来研究人体运动过程中的心理生理参数（例如大脑活动）。申请人的目标是使用这个复杂的仪器进行学科和跨学科的研究。也就是说，在更生态有效的条件下，在高性能、终身发展、神经认知和运动控制、健康和福祉、技术和数字化（见序言中的图1）的背景下研究人类运动，在现实环境中扩展和复制以前的结果。

The departments Neuromotor Behavior and Exercise, Movement Science and Sport Psychology of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences of the University of Muenster apply for Major Research Instrumentation to study human locomotion in an interactive virtual environment with real-time motion capturing and online feedback. Previous studies gained seminal knowledge of human locomotion under laboratory conditions, such as age-related changes in movement parameters or in certain patients. However, the transfer of laboratory results outside to the real world is still a significant scientific challenge. Advances in technology, such as virtual reality (VR), offers an innovative approach to improve the ecological validity of studies. The applied instrumentation consists of a 180° projection-based VR environment, with a surround sound system, and an implemented multifunctional treadmill with integrated force plates, all of which is synchronized with the VR. The instrument is complemented by a high-resolution motion capturing system using infrared cameras, and wireless electromyography. Together, the motion capturing system and the force plates build the interface to interact with the VR and the treadmill (e.g., self-paced mode). The instrument provides a unique setting for the applicants to study the complex interactions between sensory, motor, and cognitive systems during human locomotion under realistic, but still well standardized and safe experimental conditions. It offers control over all relevant study parameters and enables specific manipulation of the visual, auditory, and physical stimuli via the VR and also due to mechanical perturbation of the treadmill. Thus, one example could include the simulation of a swaying rope bridge. Such methodological advances can only be achieved by a fully integrated and synchronized system, containing the mentioned technical components. Moreover it is possible and planned to implement third-party devices (e.g., eye-tracker, EEG, fNIRS, tES) to study also psychophysiological parameters (e.g., brain activity) during human locomotion. The applicants aim to use this sophisticated instrument for disciplinary and inter-disciplinary research. Namely, to investigate human locomotion within the context of high performance, lifelong development, neurocognition & -motor control, health & well-being, technization & digitalization (see figure 1 in the preamble) under more ecologically valid conditions, to extend and replicate previous results in realistic settings.