The Influence of Auditory Cues on Bodily and Movement Perception

Multisensory contributions to skin-cosmetic product interactions

The human face is one of the most salient regions of the body surface. Ratings of facial attractiveness, as well as judgements of a person's age, are influenced by the appearance of facial skin (not to mention the presence/absence of wrinkles). Unsurprisingly, many consumers spend huge amounts of money on trying to protect, maintain, and/or enhance their facial appearance. As highlighted by the evidence presented in this narrative review, both the skin and the cosmetic products that many consumers use are fundamentally multisensory in nature. The complex interaction between the particular skin site stimulated and the multisensory attributes of the product (e.g., when it is applied) can exert a number of effects on an individual's mood, their emotions, as well as on their self-perception (and self-confidence), over-and-above any functional effects that the cream or lotion may have on the skin itself. In this narrative historical review, the literature on the multisensory perception of facial skin is summarized and critically evaluated. Multisensory interactions taking place between the cosmetic product, its packaging, as well as its use/application at the sensory, cognitive, and emotional levels are all discussed.

The Effects of Motionless Interventions Based on Visual-Auditory Instructions With Sonification on Learning a Rhythmic Motor Skill

Our aim in this study was to investigate the effects of motionless interventions, based on visual-auditory integration with a sonification technique, on the learning a complex rhythmic motor skill. We recruited 22 male participants with high physical fitness and provided them four acquisition sessions in which to practice hurdle running, based on a visual-auditory instructional pattern. Next, we divided participants into three groups: visual-auditory, auditory, and control. In six sessions of motionless interventions, with no physical practice, participants in the visual-auditory group received a visual-auditory pattern similar to their experience during the acquisition period. The auditory group only listened to the sound of sonified movements of an expert hurdler, and the control group received no instructional interventions. Finally, participants in all three groups underwent post-intervention and transfer tests to determine their errors in the spatial and relative timing of their leading leg's knee angular displacement. Both visual-auditory and auditory groups had significantly less spatial error than the control group. However, there were no significant group differences in relative timing in any test phase. These results indicate that the use of the sonification technique in the form of visual-auditory instruction adapted to the athletes' needs benefitted perception-sensory capacities to improve motor skill learning.

Effect of auditory deprivation on adaptive locomotion: Interaction with lower visual field occlusion

Auditory stimuli have been suggested to play a role in adequately controlling movement; however, their influence is not fully understood, particularly regarding dynamic behaviors, such as adaptive locomotion. This study aimed to investigate whether auditory deprivation affects adaptive locomotion. In particular, we aimed to elucidate the role of the auditory sense in obstacle avoidance by manipulating the visual field, which provides crucial sensory information for movement control. Sixteen participants approached a 15-cm obstacle located 6 m away and stepped over it under four different conditions that combined two factors: the hearing condition controlled by wearing earmuffs with and without holes, and the lower visual field condition controlled by carrying opaque white and transparent boards. Spatiotemporal variables during the approach to the obstacle were measured using an electronic walkway, whereas foot clearance over the obstacle was assessed using a motion-capture system. Participants who experienced auditory deprivation and lower visual field occlusion demonstrated greater variability in step length when approaching the obstacle compared with the other conditions. The leading and trailing foot clearances were higher under lower visual field occlusion conditions. Furthermore, when participants were under conditions of auditory deprivation, greater variability was observed in the clearance of the leading foot. These results suggest that auditory information contributes to movement stabilization during adaptive locomotion. Our findings provide evidence that auditory and visual senses complement each other during motor actions, indicating that adaptive locomotion can be influenced by the integration of multiple sensory inputs.

Exploring multisensory integration of non-naturalistic sounds on body perception in young females with eating disorders symptomatology: a study protocol

BACKGROUND

Bodily illusions can be used to investigate the experience of being in a body by manipulating the underlying processes of multisensory integration. Research suggests that people with eating disorders (EDs) may have impairments in visual, interoceptive, proprioceptive, and tactile bodily perception. Furthermore, people with EDs also show abnormalities in integrating multisensory visuo-tactile and visual-auditory signals related to the body, which may contribute to the development of body image disturbances. Visuo-auditory integration abnormalities have been observed also in people with subthreshold ED symptomatology. However, it remains unclear whether these impairments are specific to bodily signals or if they extend to any auditory signals.

METHODS

We will recruit 50 participants (aged 18-24; females assigned at birth) with ED symptomatology (subthreshold group) and 50 control participants. The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire will be administered to screen for ED symptomatology and divide the sample into two groups accordingly (control and subthreshold group using a clinical cut-off score of 2.8). The strength of both illusions will be measured implicitly with estimations of body part position and size, and explicitly with self-report questionnaires. As a secondary aim, regression analysis will be run to test the predictive role of susceptibility for both illusions on interoceptive body awareness (measured by the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Scale) and sensory-processing sensitivity (measured by the Highly Sensitive Person Scale).

DISCUSSION

Our study may contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying body image disturbances. The results may pave the way for novel clinical interventions targeting early symptoms prior to the development of the disorder in young females.

Body weight distortions in an auditory-driven body illusion in subclinical and clinical eating disorders

Previous studies suggest a stronger influence of visual signals on body image in individuals with eating disorders (EDs) than healthy controls; however, the influence of other exteroceptive sensory signals remains unclear. Here we used an illusion relying on auditory (exteroceptive) signals to manipulate body size/weight perceptions and investigated whether the mechanisms integrating sensory signals into body image are altered in subclinical and clinical EDs. Participants' footstep sounds were altered to seem produced by lighter or heavier bodies. Across two experiments, we tested healthy women assigned to three groups based on self-reported Symptomatology of EDs (SED), and women with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), and used self-report, body-visualization, and behavioural (gait) measures. As with visual bodily illusions, we predicted stronger influence of auditory signals, leading to an enhanced body-weight illusion, in people with High-SED and AN. Unexpectedly, High-SED and AN participants displayed a gait typical of heavier bodies and a widest/heaviest visualized body in the 'light' footsteps condition. In contrast, Low-SED participants showed these patterns in the 'heavy' footsteps condition. Self-reports did not show group differences. The results of this pilot study suggest disturbances in the sensory integration mechanisms, rather than purely visually-driven body distortions, in subclinical/clinical EDs, opening opportunities for the development of novel diagnostic/therapeutic tools.

Sound Intensity-dependent Multiple Tonotopic Organizations and Complex Sub-threshold Alterations of Auditory Response Across Sound Frequencies in the Thalamic Reticular Nucleus

The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), a cluster of GABAergic cells, modulates sensory attention and perception through its inhibitory projections to thalamic nuclei. Cortical and thalamic topographic projections to the auditory TRN are thought to compose tonotopic organizations for modulation of thalamic auditory processing. The present study determined tonotopies in the TRN and examined interactions between probe and masker sounds to obtain insights into temporal processing associated with tonotopies. Experiments were performed on anesthetized rats, using juxta-cellular recording and labeling techniques. Following determination of tonotopies, effects of sub-threshold masker sound stimuli on onset and late responses evoked by a probe sound were examined. The main findings are as follows. Tonotopic organizations were recognized in cell location and axonal projection. Tonotopic gradients and their clarities were diverse, depending on sound intensity, response type and the tiers of the TRN. Robust alterations in response magnitude, latency and/or burst spiking took place following masker sounds in either a broad or narrow range of frequencies that were close or far away from the probe sound frequency. The majority of alterations were suppression recognizable up to 600 ms in the interval between masker and probe sounds, and directions of alteration differed depending on the interval. Finally, masker sound effects were associated with tonotopic organizations. These findings suggest that the auditory TRN is comprised of sound intensity-dependent multiple tonotopic organizations, which could configure temporal interactions of auditory information across sound frequencies and impose complex but spatiotemporally structured influences on thalamic auditory processing.

From a Technology That Replaces Human Perception-Action to One That Expands It: Some Critiques of Current Technology Use in Sport

Information technology has been integrated into most areas of sport, providing new insights, improving the efficiency of operational processes, and offering unique opportunities for exploration and inquiry. While acknowledging this positive impact, this paper explores whether sufficient consideration has been directed towards what technology risks detracting from the learning and developmental experiences of its users. Specifically, viewed through the philosophical lens of the device paradigm, and considering a more ecological account of technological implementation, we discuss how technology use in sport could subtly disengage educators and applied sports scientists from performance environments. Insights gleaned from such an ecological account of technology implementation could lead sports science and educational teams to ask and reflect on tough questions of current practice: i.e. has too much control been given to technological devices to ‘solve’ problems and communicate knowledge (about) in sport? Has technology improved the skills of players and performance staff? Or are performance staff at risk of becoming over-reliant on technology, and as a result, reducing the value of experiential knowledge (of) and intuition? Questions like these should be asked if technological devices, purported to support aspects of practice, are continually integrated into the sporting landscape.

Action Sounds Informing Own Body Perception Influence Gender Identity and Social Cognition

Sensory information can temporarily affect mental body representations. For example, in Virtual Reality (VR), visually swapping into a body with another sex can temporarily alter perceived gender identity. Outside of VR, real-time auditory changes to walkers’ footstep sounds can affect perceived body weight and masculinity/femininity. Here, we investigate whether altered footstep sounds also impact gender identity and relation to gender groups. In two experiments, cisgender participants (26 females, 26 males) walked with headphones which played altered versions of their own footstep sounds that sounded more typically male or female. Baseline and post-intervention measures quantified gender identity [Implicit Association Test (IAT)], relation to gender groups [Inclusion of the Other-in-the-Self (IOS)], and perceived masculinity/femininity. Results show that females felt more feminine and closer to the group of women (IOS) directly after walking with feminine sounding footsteps. Similarly, males felt more feminine after walking with feminine sounding footsteps and associated themselves relatively stronger with “female” (IAT). The findings suggest that gender identity is temporarily malleable through auditory-induced own body illusions. Furthermore, they provide evidence for a connection between body perception and an abstract representation of the Self, supporting the theory that bodily illusions affect social cognition through changes in the self-concept.

Effects of auditory feedback on gait behavior, gaze patterns and outcome performance in long jumping

In the current study, we conducted two experiments to investigate the impact of concurrent, action-induced auditory feedback on gait patterns, gaze behavior and outcome performance in long jumping. In Experiment 1, we examined the effects of present vs. absent auditory feedback on gait, gaze and performance outcome measures. Results revealed a significant interaction effect between condition (present vs. absent auditory feedback) and phase (acceleration vs. zeroing-in phase) on participants' step lengths indicating that the absence (rather than the presence) of auditory feedback led to facilitatory effects in terms of a more prototypical gait pattern (i.e., shorter steps in the acceleration phase and longer steps in the zeroing-in phase). Similarly, the absent auditory feedback led to a higher gaze stability in terms of less switches between areas of interest (AOIs). However, there was no effect on jumped distance. In Experiment 2, we scrutinized the influence of concurrent vs. delayed auditory feedback on all three performance parameters. In contrast to concurrent feedback, delayed auditory feedback negatively affected all three measures: participants showed (i) dysfunctional deviations from their prototypical gait pattern (i.e., shorter steps across both phases of the run-up), (ii) less stable, maladaptive gaze patterns (i.e., more switches between AOIs) and (iii) poorer jumping performance (i.e., shorter jumped distances). Together, the two experiments provide clear evidence for the impact of concurrent, action-induced auditory feedback on the coordination of complex, rhythmical motor tasks such as the long jump.

A Perspective on Implementing Movement Sonification to Influence Movement (and Eventually Cognitive) Creativity

Creativity represents an important feature in a variety of daily-life and domain-specific contexts. Recent evidence indicates that physical movement serves as a key resource for exploring and generating task-relevant creative ideas, supporting the embodied perspective on creative cognition. An intuitive link between movement and creative cognition is movement creativity. The process of exploring the movement solutions an environment offers (i.e., affordances) and exploiting novel, functional, and creative movements may translate to and improve how individuals explore and generate novel ideas. Opening perception to the variety of affordances (“conventional” and novel) an environment offers drives creative movement. Teachers and coaches can promote this process by designing a learning environment that invites performers to consider and utilize novel movement solutions. In this article, we present a rationale for using movement sonification to promote creative movement. Movement sonification consists of mapping a movement parameter into sound, with a sound being triggered or changing according to how movement unfolds. We argue that movement sonification can facilitate the emergence of creative movement via enhancing perception of currently performed movements and invite performers to utilize novel affordances, and emphasizing information for regulating subsequent creative actions. We exemplify this concept in a creative dance intervention for children during physical education classes. In conclusion, we contend that learning to explore original dance sequences using movement sonification may provide a meaningful link between creative movement and creative cognition. Children may use their minds and bodies as tools for creative thinking and exploration, such as shaping letters with their bodies.

What do you hear? The effect of stadium noise on football players' passing performances

Stadium noise - created by spectators and fans - plays a critical part in the reality of professional sports. Due to a lack of research on the impact of these auditory cues and multimodal environments on motor performance, it is currently unclear how professional athletes experience and perceive stadium noise and how this potentially affects performance in practice. In order to explore the effect of stadium noise on athletes' performance, this paper presents an experimental design using the unique and standardised football training tool known as the "Footbonaut". Specifically, fifteen skilled German football players engaged in a standardised football-specific technical training programme while subjected to four different auditory training conditions; these included both "positive" and "negative" stadium noise conditions, a "baseline" condition providing auditory guidance, and a "no (auditory) cue" condition. Performance data for passing accuracy and passing time were measured for training in each auditory condition. A repeated measures MANOVA revealed a significant main effect for passing time. Specifically, participants showed faster passing times in the baseline compared to the negative and no auditory cue conditions. Findings are presented and discussed from a constraints-led perspective, allied to principles of ecological dynamics and nonlinear pedagogy. Particularly, the use of representative training experiences (including multimodal sensory and emotional information) appears to underline training to refine expert athletes' adaptive coordination of complex motor actions.