A recent study has uncovered that the way individuals walk can significantly affect how their brains process sound. Researchers led by Liyu Cao from Zhejiang University and Barbara Händel from the University of Würzburg investigated whether the direction of walking influences auditory perception.
In their research, thirty volunteers walked along an eight-shaped path while listening to a continuous stream of sounds with varying intensities. The study highlighted that brain activity was notably stronger when participants were walking compared to standing still or walking in place. This enhanced neural response varied in accordance with changes in sound intensity, indicating a dynamic interaction between movement and sensory processing.
The researchers made a particularly interesting observation regarding the effect of walking direction on auditory perception. Cao explained that during a right turn, the brain’s responses to sounds coming from the right ear were amplified at the start of the turn but subsequently suppressed, relative to sounds coming from the left. This phenomenon could indicate a shift in attention when navigating turns.
To further explore this relationship, the team introduced bursts of tones into the ongoing sound stream. These auditory interruptions disrupted the brain’s associative response, generating a different reaction. As with previous findings, the response was strongest while walking, particularly when the sound bursts originated from one ear rather than both. This suggests that the brain may be especially attuned to peripheral auditory input during movement.
Cao elaborated on the implications of these findings: “This could reflect a filtering operation of the brain: It might actively suppress predictable background sounds—like our own footsteps—while increasing sensitivity to unexpected sounds from the side.” This mechanism could enhance reaction times and promote safer navigation in dynamic environments.
The study not only sheds light on the complex interplay between movement and sensory processing but also suggests that our auditory system is optimized for detecting novelty and changes while in motion. This research was presented by the Society for Neuroscience and is expected to contribute significantly to understanding sensory integration during walking.
The findings will be published in the journal JNeurosci, with access to the research URLs becoming available after the embargo ends. The project received funding from the European Research Council, specifically awarded to Händel under Grant Number 677819.
This study opens new avenues for research into how physical activity influences sensory perception and could lead to practical applications in fields such as rehabilitation, navigation technology, and urban planning.
