Influence of cell phone email use on characteristics of gait

Abstract

Previously, gait had been considered an automatic and rhythmical movement that uses minimal attentional resources. The relationship between attention and gait has been revealed in recent research. However, in young adults in particular, the influence of using a cell phone – which is used frequently in daily life and considered to require high attentional demands – on gait has not been demonstrated. In this study, we examined the influence of mobile phone use on gait. Thirty healthy college students (15 males, 15 females) walked through a normal straight course with or without an obstacle under two different walking conditions while either using the email function of the cell phone or walking without a cell phone. The participants walked at a normal speed on a 10-m walkway. In walking conditions with an obstacle, an obstacle (17 cm in height) was set at the mid-point of the walkway. The following gait parameters were calculated: velocity, stride length, stride width (cm), and stance phase of one foot (just before an obstacle, one and two steps before the obstacle). Velocity and stride width decreased and the stance phase increased during walking while operating a cell phone. The stance phase just before an obstacle and stride length increased while operating a cell phone with an obstacle in the way. Gaze fixations and the high attention required to use the email function of the device may result in greatly disturbed gait.