Dressing for Success: The Impact of Clothing on Somatosensory Processing

Date

2024

Authors

Anderson, Francesca

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Victoria

Abstract

This research project aimed to investigate how clothing conditions influence somatosensory experiences and neural activity during standing and walking tasks. Six healthy, physically active individuals participated in experiments where they wore either minimal or functional clothing while performing tasks on a treadmill. EEG measurements were collected to assess neural activity across different frequency bands. Despite significant topographical differences suggested by independent components analysis, multiple comparison t-tests did not support these findings. The absence of notable differences may be attributed to factors such as sensory gating mechanisms, individual variability, and the dynamic nature of motor tasks. Future research should address these limitations by increasing sample size, diversifying participant pools, and incorporating advanced neuroimaging techniques. Ultimately, this study underscores the need to refine our understanding of sensory processing dynamics to optimize performance outcomes and rehabilitation interventions.

Description

Keywords

electroencephalography (EEG), sensory processing, functional clothing, exercise performance, neurophysiology, proprioception

Citation