Full Length ArticleEffect of haptic sensory input through a fluttering cloth on tandem gait performance

•Gait performance was improved by wearing a fluttering cloth.•Changes in gait performance while wearing cloth were accompanied by gait sensation.•Wearing a cloth may provide cues to enhance the perception of body orientation.•Wearing a cloth may allow easier locomotion compared to without cloth condition.•Human locomotor ability may improve, depending on the shape of the garment.

This study investigated the effects of haptic sensory input through a fluttering cloth on balance control during locomotion. Twenty-one healthy men performed a tandem gait test for 4 m with their eyes closed under two different conditions: (1) wearing only half or short tights (HT-condition), or (2) wearing a fluttering cloth that was wrapped around the waist and extended to the lower leg (CLOTH-condition). Participants performed two trials with a 3-min rest period. The first trial involved the HT-condition, whereas the second trial involved either the CLOTH-condition (n = 11), or the HT-condition again (n = 10). The gait time and double support phase were significantly lower in the CLOTH-condition than in the HT-condition, and the relationship between the change in these two parameters was significant (r = 0.74, P < 0.01). Further, the relationship between the change in gait time and subjective walking sensation (evaluated through a visual-analogue scale) was significant in the CLOTH-condition (r = 0.82, P < 0.01). Therefore, if the participant demonstrated improved gait performance while wearing a fluttering cloth, it was accompanied by an improvement in subjective walking sensation. These results suggest that wearing a fluttering cloth can provide a haptic sensory cue to enhance the individuals' perception of their body orientation, which contributes to better balance control during locomotion. Therefore, locomotive ability may improve depending on the shape of the garment.