Eye‑Tracking Biomarkers of Gait Stability in Immersive Environments

Safe walking relies on effective visual attention, yet gaze behaviour is rarely integrated into clinical gait assessment—particularly in immersive AR/VR environments where sensory demands are altered. While eye‑tracking is widely studied in XR research, its application to overground gait stability and fall risk remains underdeveloped. This PhD will explore how visual attention and gait stability interact during immersive walking tasks. Using Tobii eye‑tracking glasses synchronised with Zeno walkway, Kistler force plates, and THEIA3D markerless capture, the research will examine gaze patterns, visual search strategies, and their relationship to step variability, balance, and obstacle negotiation. Tasks will be delivered through a mixed‑reality headset, with realistic environments created using the lab’s audiovisual infrastructure. The project aims to identify gaze‑based biomarkers that predict instability or poor adaptation under cognitive or visual load. Outcomes may lead to new assessment tools and targeted rehabilitation strategies that address visual–motor control, particularly for older adults and people at risk of falls.