Motion speed modulates walking direction discrimination: The role of the feet in biological motion perception

The human visual system is tuned to the motions of biological entities, which provide potentially vital information for survival. The current study examines the interplay between motion speed and motion direction perception. Following a brief presentation of a point-light walker walking straight ahead or slightly leftward or rightward, observers were asked to quickly judge the walking direction (left or right). Participants showed better direction discrimination when the walker walked at a fast pace compared to a natural or slow pace, and this was not simply due to a difference in motion cycles. Moreover, walking direction sensitivity could be enhanced by increasing the feet motion speed alone, so long as the direction of feet movement was consistent with that of the other body parts. These findings demonstrate that our perception of walking direction is influenced by local motion speed, and highlight the role of the feet in biological motion perception.