In tracking a moving target, the visual context may provide cues for an observer to interpret the causal nature of the target motion and extract features to which the visual system is weakly sensitive, such as target acceleration. This information could be critical when vision of the target is temporarily impeded, requiring visual motion extrapolation processes. Here we investigated how visual context influences ocular tracking of motion either congruent or not with natural gravity. To this end, 28 subjects tracked computer-simulated ballistic trajectories either perturbed in the descending segment with altered gravity effects (0g/2g) or retaining natural-like motion (1g). Shortly after the perturbation (550 ms), targets disappeared for either 450 or 650 ms and became visible again until landing. Target motion occurred with either quasi-realistic pictorial cues or a uniform background, presented in counterbalanced order. We analyzed saccadic and pursuit movements after 0g and 2g target-motion perturbations and for corresponding intervals of unperturbed 1g trajectories, as well as after corresponding occlusions. Moreover, we considered the eye-to-target distance at target reappearance. Tracking parameters differed significantly between scenarios: With a neutral background, eye movements did not depend consistently on target motion, whereas with pictorial background they showed significant dependence, denoting better tracking of accelerated targets. These results suggest that oculomotor control is tuned to realistic properties of the visual scene.

Monache, S.d., Lacquaniti, F., Bosco, G. (2019). Ocular tracking of occluded ballistic trajectories: Effects of visual context and of target law of motion. JOURNAL OF VISION, 19(4), 13 [10.1167/19.4.13].

Ocular tracking of occluded ballistic trajectories: Effects of visual context and of target law of motion

Lacquaniti F.
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
Bosco G.
Membro del Collaboration Group
2019-01-01

Abstract

In tracking a moving target, the visual context may provide cues for an observer to interpret the causal nature of the target motion and extract features to which the visual system is weakly sensitive, such as target acceleration. This information could be critical when vision of the target is temporarily impeded, requiring visual motion extrapolation processes. Here we investigated how visual context influences ocular tracking of motion either congruent or not with natural gravity. To this end, 28 subjects tracked computer-simulated ballistic trajectories either perturbed in the descending segment with altered gravity effects (0g/2g) or retaining natural-like motion (1g). Shortly after the perturbation (550 ms), targets disappeared for either 450 or 650 ms and became visible again until landing. Target motion occurred with either quasi-realistic pictorial cues or a uniform background, presented in counterbalanced order. We analyzed saccadic and pursuit movements after 0g and 2g target-motion perturbations and for corresponding intervals of unperturbed 1g trajectories, as well as after corresponding occlusions. Moreover, we considered the eye-to-target distance at target reappearance. Tracking parameters differed significantly between scenarios: With a neutral background, eye movements did not depend consistently on target motion, whereas with pictorial background they showed significant dependence, denoting better tracking of accelerated targets. These results suggest that oculomotor control is tuned to realistic properties of the visual scene.
2019
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore BIO/09 - FISIOLOGIA
English
Con Impact Factor ISI
Acceleration; Distance Perception; Eye Movements; Female; Gravitation; Humans; Male; Motion Perception; Psychomotor Performance; Pursuit, Smooth; Visual Cortex; Young Adult
Monache, S.d., Lacquaniti, F., Bosco, G. (2019). Ocular tracking of occluded ballistic trajectories: Effects of visual context and of target law of motion. JOURNAL OF VISION, 19(4), 13 [10.1167/19.4.13].
Monache, Sd; Lacquaniti, F; Bosco, G
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/214802
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