Effects of Various Walking Speeds on Probe Reaction Time during Treadmill Walking

Abstract

The relative attention demanded by standing and walking at five velocities on a treadmill were examined by the measurement of probe reaction time (probe-RT). Subjects were 13 healthy men, who were from 21 to 42 years of age (M = 28.3 yr., SD = 7.4). The mean RT value was shortest at the velocity of 4 km/hr. and became longer at treadmill walking speeds above and below 4 km/hr. The mean preferred velocity of subjects obtained from 10-m free walking was 4.85 km/hr. (3.1 to 6.2 km/hr.), which is reasonably close to the optimal velocity of 4.0 km/hr. during treadmill walking. Walking at the optimum velocity calls for extremely low demands for attention, and walking at velocities higher or lower than this requires more attention.

Evidence for Cognitive Processes Involved in the Control of Steady State of Walking in Healthy Subjects and after Cerebral Damage

“…The absence of a walking effect on a simple RT in healthy subjects compared to sitting or standing positions is consistent with the findings reported by Kurosawa (1994). 27 He combined an auditory RT with sitting and walking on a treadmill. No significant difference was found on the RT between the postural conditions.…”

Kinematic analysis of reaching and bringing a glass to the mouth in post-stroke patients

“…Moreover, gait parameters are not modified by DT [1][2][3]. Moreover, gait parameters are not modified by DT [1][2][3].…”

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Results:

The average spontaneous walking speed (WS) was 1.13 m/s. Moreover, gait parameters are not modified by DT [1][2][3].

The calculations carried out were in single task = 34.9 ± 8.6, at 100% WS = 30.8 ± 8.3, at 60% WS = 34.4 ± 9.6 and at 20% WS = 30.8 ± 7.9.…”

Temporal and Spatial Parameters of Stepping in Place in Children and Adults

“…In other words, the self-paced stepping was almost optimized in terms of movement consistency. The phenomena of self-optimization in gait have been reported in terms of spatial variability (Sekiya, Nagasaki, Ito, & Fu-runa, 1997), energy cost (Holt, Jeng, Ratcliffe, & Hamill, 1995), metabolic cost (Hunter & Smith, 2007), attentional demand (Kurosawa, 1994), and the stability of head and pelvis accelerations (Latt, Menz, Fung, & Lord, 2008).…”