Age-related differences in cognitive function for interlimb coordination during split-belt walking: A pilot study

Saito, Mayumi; Hyodo, Masaki; Masakado, Yoshihisa; Tsutsumi, Yutaka; Ushiba, Junichi

doi:10.3109/08990220.2012.760449

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Since there was no randomization between the two conditions, we cannot exclude that fatigue might have had effects on the dual-task results, which is a limitation of the study. The lack of further dual-task effects is in contrast to the previously discussed motor-cognitive dual-tasking studies during split-belt walking (McFadyen et al, 2009; Malone and Bastian, 2010, 2016; Saito et al, 2013). We however propose that participants prioritized gait over the cognitive task, minimizing any effects of the secondary cognitive task on the gait variables.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 82%

“…Dual-tasking slowed the rate of adaptation on step length symmetry in the adaptation phase in young (Malone and Bastian, 2010) and in middle-aged adults (Malone and Bastian, 2016). Motor-cognitive dual-tasking also increased stance time on the fast belt and double support time on the slow belt in young adults (McFadyen et al, 2009), and another study reported that older adults exhibited a larger step time asymmetry (Saito et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Effects of Aging and Task Prioritization on Split-Belt Gait Adaptation

Vervoort

Otter

Buurke

et al. 2019

Front. Aging Neurosci.

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Background: Age-related changes in the sensorimotor system and cognition affect gait adaptation, especially when locomotion is combined with a cognitive task. Performing a dual-task can shift the focus of attention and thus require task prioritization, especially in older adults. To gain a better understanding of the age-related changes in the sensorimotor system, we examined how age and dual-tasking affect adaptive gait and task prioritization while walking on a split-belt treadmill.Methods: Young (21.5 ± 1.0 years, n = 10) and older adults (67.8 ± 5.8 years, n = 12) walked on a split-belt treadmill with a 2:1 belt speed ratio, with and without a cognitive Auditory Stroop task. Symmetry in step length, limb excursion, and double support time, and strategy variables swing time and swing speed were compared between the tied-belt baseline (BL), early (EA) and late split-belt adaptation (LA), and early tied-belt post-adaptation (EP).Results: Both age groups adapted to split-belt walking by re-establishing symmetry in step length and double support time. However, young and older adults differed on adaptation strategy. Older vs. young adults increased swing speed of the fast leg more during EA and LA (0.10–0.13 m/s), while young vs. older adults increased swing time of the fast leg more (2%). Dual-tasking affected limb excursion symmetry during EP. Cognitive task performance was 5–6% lower during EA compared to BL and LA in both age groups. Older vs. young adults had a lower cognitive task performance (max. 11% during EA).Conclusion: Healthy older adults retain the ability to adapt to split-belt perturbations, but interestingly age affects adaptation strategy during split-belt walking. This age-related change in adaptation strategy possibly reflects a need to increase gait stability to prevent falling. The decline in cognitive task performance during early adaptation suggests task prioritization, especially in older adults. Thus, a challenging motor task, like split-belt adaptation, requires prioritization between the motor and cognitive task to prevent adverse outcomes. This suggests that task prioritization and adaptation strategy should be a focus in fall prevention interventions.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 82%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Effects of Aging and Task Prioritization on Split-Belt Gait Adaptation

Vervoort

Otter

Buurke

et al. 2019

Front. Aging Neurosci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Changes in Standing and Walking Performance Under Dual-Task Conditions Across the Lifespan

et al. 2015

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Simultaneous performance of a postural and a concurrent task is rather unproblematic as long as the postural task is executed in an automatic way. However, in situations where postural control requires more central processing, cognitive resources may be exceeded by the addition of an attentionally demanding task. This may lead to interference between the two tasks, manifested in a decreased performance in one or both tasks (dual-task costs). Owing to changes in attentional demands of postural tasks as well as processing capacities across the lifespan, it might be assumed that dual-task costs are particularly pronounced in children and older adults probably leading to a U-shaped pattern for dual-task costs as a function of age. However, these changes in the ability of dual-tasking posture from childhood to old age have not yet been systematically reviewed. Therefore, Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched for studies comparing dual-task performance with one task being standing or walking in healthy groups of young adults and either children or older adults. Seventy-nine studies met inclusion criteria. For older adults, the expected increase in dual-task costs could be confirmed. In contrast, in children there was only feeble evidence for a trend towards enlarged dual-task costs. More good-quality studies comparing dual-task ability in children, young, and, ideally, also older adults within the same paradigm are needed to draw unambiguous conclusions about lifespan development of dual-task performance in postural tasks. There is evidence that, in older adults, dual-task performance can be improved by training. For the other age groups, these effects have yet to be investigated.

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