Distracted Visual Attention During Walking: Response to an Unexpected Event While Walking and Using a Smartphone in Young Healthy Adults

Abstract

Smartphone usage while walking is prevalent in today’s society. Previous studies have explored how texting while walking negatively impacts gait performance by decreasing the walking speed and increasing body sway (Parr et al, 2014; Plummer et al, 2014). However, little is known about how smartphone usage affects a person’s ability to react to an unexpected event during gait. The purpose of this study was to investigate how visual attention divided by smartphone usage affects gait performance when reacting to an unexpected event.