Age-related changes in visual guidance strategies Research of Kate Hamel, PhD Declines in visual function with age have recently been linked to decrements in functional mobility and an increased risk of falling in older adults. Despite this knowledge, we know very little about how older adults use visual input to negotiate challenging terrain, surfaces and pathways. Tripping over obstacles, curbs or steps accounts for a large proportion of falls in older adults, and may be linked to inadequate or aberrant visual input. The purpose of this study is to examine the age-related differences visual gaze patterns and visual input requirements as young and older adults negotiate obstacles, steps and stairs. Eye-tracking technology will be used to monitor precise gaze location with respect to the environmental scene as the subject ambulates over varied terrain. Liquid crystal display glasses will be used to selectively control the visual input subjects receive during key phases of each locomotor task while simultaneously measuring the biomechanics of task performance. Due to the cumulative effects of minor decrements in numerous physiologic systems, it is hypothesized that older adults will be more dependent upon visual input than young adults in order to maintain their balance during locomotor activities of daily living. It is anticipated that this work will provide insight into visually guided locomotion in healthy older adults, and provide the foundation for future work aimed at examining the visual strategies used during locomotion in older adults with low vision, cognitive impairment or other sensory loss. Results from this work could have implications for environmental modifications, visual rehabilitation training strategies, assistive device design and clinical relevance to fall prevention in the elderly. Kate Hamel, PhD Assistant Professor in Residence: Department of Kinesiology San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Ave. San Francisco, CA 94132 --- Kate Hamel, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Physical Therapy and Rehab Science University of California San Francisco Box 0625 San Francisco, CA 94143 415/353-7695 415/353-7221 fax hamelk@ptrehab.ucsf.edu --- Kate Hamel, assistant professor of kinesiology. PhD in biomechanics and locomotion studies from Pennsylvania State University. Most recent position: assistant professor in residence of physical therapy at University of California, San Francisco. Research interests: elderly visual control and locomotion, multi-factorial nature of functional decline (in the elderly and those with chronic diseases), and injury prevention. --- Kate Hamel; Assistant Professor (tenure-track): Dr. Hamel teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in anatomical kinesiology, advanced biomechanics and laboratory techniques in biomechanics. Her area of research deals with age-related changes in biomechanical, and sensory integration with respect to falls.