In this study, we compare the virtual and real gait parameters to investigate the effect of appearances of embodied avatars and virtual reality experience on gait in physical and virtual environments. We developed a virtual environment simulation and gait detection system for analyzing gait. The system transfers real-life scenarios into a realistic presentation in the virtual environment and provides look-alike same-age and old-age avatars for participants. We conducted an empirical study and used subjective questionnaires to evaluate participants' feelings about the virtual reality experience. Also, the paired sample t-test and neural network were implemented to analyze gait differences. The results suggest that there are disparities in gait between virtual and real environments. Also, the appearance of embodied avatars could influence the gait parameters in the virtual environment. Moreover, the experience of embodying old-age avatars affects the gait in the real world.

翻译：本研究通过比较虚拟与现实步态参数，探究具身化虚拟形象的外观特征及虚拟现实体验对物理环境与虚拟环境中步态的影响。我们开发了用于步态分析的虚拟环境模拟与步态检测系统。该系统将现实场景转化为虚拟环境中的真实呈现，并为参与者提供同龄及老年外观的拟真虚拟形象。通过开展实证研究并采用主观问卷调查评估参与者对虚拟现实体验的感受，同时运用配对样本t检验与神经网络分析步态差异。结果表明：虚拟环境与现实环境中的步态存在显著差异；具身化虚拟形象的外观特征会影响虚拟环境中的步态参数；此外，具身老年虚拟形象的体验会对现实世界中的步态产生影响。