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

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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

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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. 

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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.

