Award Date

5-2009

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Kinesiology

Department

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences

First Committee Member

John Mercer, Chair

Second Committee Member

Janet Dufek

Third Committee Member

Richard Tandy

Graduate Faculty Representative

Edward Neumann

Number of Pages

116

Abstract

This study examined the effects that cell phone use has on gait and situation awareness. Subjects (n=18; 24.67±3.60 yrs) completed three five-minute treadmill walking conditions (self-selected speed): (1) CONTROL (walking only), (2) TALK (walking and talking), and (3) TEXT (walking and texting). The number of detected lights presented in the visual field was recorded, as were kinematic data of the feet. Using a one-way repeated measure ANOVA it was determined light detection (F (2,17) =39.777, p<0.001) and TCmin (F(2,17) =8.574, p=0.001) were different between conditions. Specifically, light detection decreased during TEXT (2.6±2.2 lights) versus TALK (5.8±0.05 lights, p<0.001) or CONTROL (5.9±0.05 lights, p<0.001); TCmin decreased during TALK (56.3±3.66 mm, p=0.002) and TEXT (56.1±4.481 mm, p=0.014) versus CONTROL (58.5±4.35 mm). It is concluded that a reduction in toe clearance and decreased light detection ability occurs while walking and using a cell phone.

Keywords

Accidents--Prevention; Cell phones; Distraction (Psychology); Gait in humans; Situational awareness

Disciplines

Biomechanics | Environmental Public Health | Kinesiology | Motor Control | Sports Sciences

File Format

pdf

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Comments

Signatures have been redacted for privacy and security measures.

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Download


Share

COinS