Task specificity impacts dual-task interference in older adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Task prioritization is an important factor determines the magnitude and direction of dual-task interference in older adults. Greater dual-task cost during walking may lead to falling, sometimes causing lasting effects on mobility.

Aims

We investigated dual-task interference for walking and cognitive performance.

Methods

Twenty healthy, older adults (71 ± 5 years) completed three cognitive tasks: letter fluency, category fluency, and serial subtraction during seated and walking conditions on a self-paced treadmill for 3 min each, in addition to walking only condition. Walking speed, step length and width were measured during walking and each dual-task condition.

Results

Comparing the percentage of correct answers in cognitive tasks across single and d

SUBMITTER: Fallahtafti F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7644578 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature