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的神经运动行为和运动、运动科学和运动心理学系申请了主要研究仪器，以研究具有实时动作捕捉和在线反馈的交互式虚拟环境中的人类运动。以前的研究获得了实验室条件下人类运动的开创性知识，例如与年龄相关的运动参数变化或某些患者的运动。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。虚拟现实(VR)等技术的进步为提高研究的生态效度提供了一种创新的方法。应用仪器包括一个基于180°投影的VR环境，带有环绕立体声系统，以及一个已实现的多功能跑步机，集成了测力板，所有这些都与VR同步。该仪器还配备了使用红外摄像头的高分辨率运动捕捉系统和无线肌电图仪。动作捕捉系统和测力板一起构建了与VR和跑步机交互的界面(例如，自定速模式)。该仪器为申请者提供了一个独特的环境，在现实但仍很规范和安全的实验条件下，研究人类运动过程中感觉、运动和认知系统之间的复杂相互作用。它提供对所有相关研究参数的控制，并通过VR以及跑步机的机械扰动实现对视觉、听觉和物理刺激的特定操作。因此，一个例子可以包括对摇摆索桥的模拟。只有通过一个包含上述技术组成部分的完全整合和同步的系统，才能实现这种方法上的进步。此外，还有可能并计划实施第三方设备(例如，眼球跟踪器、EEG、fNIRS、TES)来研究人类运动期间的心理生理参数(例如，大脑活动)。申请者的目标是使用这一复杂的工具进行学科和跨学科研究。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、技术化和数字化(见序言中的图1)的背景下调查人类的运动，以在现实环境中推广和复制先前的结果。

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.