Enhancement of human movement using haptic sensory information through clothing

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K21553
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Applied anthropology; Developmental mechanisms and the body works
• Research Institution: Kyushu Kyoritsu University
• Principal Investigator: OSHITA Kazushige 九州共立大学, スポーツ科学部, 准教授 (10615826)
• Research Collaborator: YANO Sumio 神戸大学, 大学院人間発達環境学研究科, 教授 (20115306)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ライトタッチ効果 / 触覚 / 姿勢制御 / 歩行能力 / 衣類

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Providing additional haptic sensory information through a light (< 1 N) finger touch to a fixed object resulted in decreased postural sway in various physical positions. This “light touch effect” suggests that haptic sensory input through touching primarily provides information about body orientation. Our recent studies applied this effect in various models of daily life. In the present study, even a fluttering cloth wrapped around the waist, extending to the lower leg, is effective in improving postural control. Furthermore, because balance control during human locomotion is also enhanced by wearing a fluttering cloth, human movement might be enhanced according to the shape of the garment. These present results suggest that a potential new use for clothing (or garments) to enhance human movement utilizing the light touch effect.

Free Research Field

応用人類学