scholarly journals Motor Adaptation to Cognitive Challenges and Destabilizing Treadmill Walking in Healthy Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 523-523
Author(s):  
Pei-Chun Kao ◽  
Michaela Pierro
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Trunk Motion ◽  
Visual Color ◽  
Stability Data ◽  
Serial Addition ◽  
Task Conditions ◽  
Perturbed Walking

Abstract To develop effective fall prevention intervention, it is necessary to understand how older adults respond to challenges that demand cognitive-motor dual-tasking capability, an important capability in the daily lives. The purpose of this study is to investigate how older adults adjust their motor responses when encountering cognitive and walking perturbations simultaneously. We recorded kinematic data as subjects walked on a treadmill with or without 1) continuous random-amplitude treadmill platform sways (Perturbed vs. No-perturbed walking); and 2) each of the four cognitive tasks: Paced Auditory Serial Addition test (PASAT), clock test, visual color-word incongruent test (V-stroop), and auditory pitch-word incongruent test (A-stroop). We computed dynamic margins of stability (MOS), gait variability, and short-term local divergence exponent (LDE) of the trunk motion (local stability). Data of ten older subjects (age: 72.2±4.9) show that cognitive performance did not differ between standing, Perturbed or No-perturbed walking. Subjects demonstrated significantly greater local instability and variability in step measures, joint angle and MOS during Perturbed than No-perturbed walking (p<0.001). During dual-task conditions, subjects walked with significantly larger medio-lateral MOS (MOSML) compared to walking only, especially during early phase of the trial. During Perturbed walking, subjects had significantly larger MOSML during PASAT and Vstroop than walking only. Our data showed that subjects tried to increase their dynamic MOS during Perturbed walking or a cognitive task more difficult or taxing visual attention. However, the adjustments do not sustain throughout the trial. These findings suggest older adults tend to prioritize cognitive over walking tasks even when encountering walking perturbations.

Effects of cognitive and physical loads on dynamic and static balance of older adults under single, dual and multi-task conditions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Allahverdipour ◽  
Iman Dianat ◽  
Galavizh Mameh ◽  
mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Static Balance ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Task Conditions ◽  
And Control ◽  
Single Versus

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cognitive and physical loads on dynamic and static balance of older adults under single, dual and multi-task conditions. Methods: The effects of single versus combined (dual-task and multi-task) cognitive (to speak out the name of the weekdays in a reverse order) and physical (with three levels including handling weights of 1kg, 2kg and 3kg in each hand) loads on dynamic and static balance of 42 older adults (21 males and 21 females), aged ≥ 60 years were studied. Dynamic and static balance measures were evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and stabilometer (sway index) tests, respectively. Results: The TUG speed of female participants was generally slower than that of male participants. Cognitive task influenced the participants’ dynamic balance during the dual-task conditions, while the static balance was not affected in this phase. The dynamic and static balance measures were more influenced when performing the multi-tasks than when doing the dual-tasks. The effects of various levels of physical demand on the dynamic balance varied greatly under dual- and multi-task conditions. Conclusions: The findings add to the understanding of the factors influencing the elderly balance and control under cognitive and physical functioning.

Effects of Cognitive and Physical Loads on Dynamic and Static Balance Performance of Healthy Older Adults Under Single-, Dual-, and Multi-task Conditions

2020 ◽  
pp. 001872082092462
Author(s):  
Hamid Allahverdipour ◽  
Iman Dianat ◽  
Galavizh Mameh ◽  
Mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Static Balance ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Physical Task ◽  
Task Conditions ◽  
And Control

Objective The aim of this study is to examine the effects of cognitive and physical loads on dynamic and static balance performance of healthy older adults under single-, dual-, and multi-task conditions. Background Previous studies on postural control in older adults have generally used dual-task methodology, whereas less attention has been paid to multi-task performance, despite its importance in many daily and occupational activities. Method The effects of single versus combined (dual-task and multi-task) cognitive (to speak out the name of the weekdays in a reverse order) and physical (with three levels including handling weights of 1, 2, and 3 kg in each hand) loads on dynamic and static balance performance of 42 older adults (21 males and 21 females) aged ≥60 years were examined. Dynamic and static balance measures were evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and stabilometer (sway index) tests, respectively. Results The TUG speed of female participants was generally slower than that of male participants. Age had no effect on balance performance measures. Under dual-task conditions, cognitive load decreased the dynamic balance performance, while the physical task levels had no effect. The dual-task conditions had no impact on the static balance performance. The effects of cognitive and physical loads on dynamic balance performance varied under dual- and multi-task conditions. Conclusion The findings highlight differences between dual- and multi-task protocols and add to the understanding of balance performance in older adults under cognitive and physical loads. Application The present study highlights differences between dual- and multi-task methodologies that need to be considered in future studies of balance and control in older adults.

scholarly journals Perturbation Training for Fall-Risk Reduction in Healthy Older Adults: Interference and Generalization to Opposing Novel Perturbations Post Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanvi Bhatt ◽  
Yiru Wang ◽  
Shuaijie Wang ◽  
Lakshmi Kannan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Reactive Control ◽  
Ctrl Group ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Perturbation Training ◽  
Perturbed Walking

This study examined the effects of perturbation training on the contextual interference and generalization of encountering a novel opposing perturbation. One hundred and sixty-nine community-dwelling healthy older adults (69.6 ± 6.4 years) were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: slip-perturbation training (St, n = 67) group received 24 slips, trip-perturbation training (Tt, n = 67) group received 24 trips, and control (Ctrl: n = 31) group received only non-perturbed walking trials (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03199729; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03199729). After training, all groups had 30 min of rest and three post-training non-perturbed walking trials, followed by a reslip and a novel trip trial for St, a retrip and a novel slip trial for Tt, and randomized novel slip and trip trials for Ctrl. The margin of stability (MOS), step length, and toe clearance of post-training walking trials were compared among three groups to examine interferences in proactive adjustment. Falls, MOS at the instant of recovery foot touchdown, and hip height of post-training perturbation trials were investigated to detect interferences and generalization in reactive responses. Results indicated that prior adaptation to slip perturbation training, resulting in walking with a greater MOS (more anterior) and a shorter step length (p < 0.01) than that of the Ctrl group, would be associated with a greater likelihood to forward balance loss if encountered with a trip. The trip adaptation training mainly induced a higher toe clearance during walking (p < 0.01) than the Ctrl group, which could lead to reduced effectiveness of the reactive response when encountered with a novel slip. However, there was no difference in the reactive MOS, limb support, and falls between the control group and the slip and trip training groups on their respective opposing novel perturbation post-training (MOS, limb support, and falls for novel slip: Tt = Ctrl; for the novel trip: St = Ctrl, both p > 0.05). Current findings suggested that, although perturbation training results in proactive adjustments that could worsen the reactive response (interference) when exposed to an unexpected opposing perturbation, older adults demonstrated the ability to immediately generalize the training-induced adaptive reactive control to maintain MOS, to preserve limb support control, and to reduce fall risk.

Absence of Ankle Stiffening While Standing in Focus and Cognitive Task Conditions in Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Richer ◽  
Kien Ly ◽  
Noémy Fortier ◽  
Yves Lajoie
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Task Conditions

Impact of Attentional Loading and Task Constraints on Postural Control of Healthy Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 12-25
Author(s):  
Eryk Przysucha ◽  
Brontë A. Vollebregt ◽  
Carlos Zerpa
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Support Surface ◽  
Task Constraints ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Practical Standpoint ◽  
Support Surfaces ◽  
Attentional Tasks

Postural control is attention demanding, and it may be jeopardized when a secondary cognitive task is involved, particularly for older adults. The magnitude of this interference depends on different individual (perceptuo-motor status), task (single vs. dual tasking), and environmental constraints (support surface). The purpose of this research was to examine if older adults may be affected by various types of secondary cognitive tasks, while maintaining quiet standing on different support surfaces. In line with conceptual models, the results indicated that postural control of older adults was compromised when they were required to dual-task, especially when the support surface was challenging. This was a robust finding across all the measures of COP. In regards to the degree to which different attentional tasks affected postural control, the results remained equivocal. From a practical standpoint, the results indicated that older adults should exhibit caution when simultaneously performing a balance and a cognitive task involved particularly when the surface is unsteady.

scholarly journals Reduction of Dual-task Costs by Noninvasive Modulation of Prefrontal Activity in Healthy Elders

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad Manor ◽  
Junhong Zhou ◽  
Azizah Jor'dan ◽  
Jue Zhang ◽  
Jing Fang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Dual Tasking ◽  
Single Task ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Task Conditions

Dual tasking (e.g., walking or standing while performing a cognitive task) disrupts performance in one or both tasks, and such dual-task costs increase with aging into senescence. Dual tasking activates a network of brain regions including pFC. We therefore hypothesized that facilitation of prefrontal cortical activity via transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) would reduce dual-task costs in older adults. Thirty-seven healthy older adults completed two visits during which dual tasking was assessed before and after 20 min of real or sham tDCS targeting the left pFC. Trials of single-task standing, walking, and verbalized serial subtractions were completed, along with dual-task trials of standing or walking while performing serial subtractions. Dual-task costs were calculated as the percent change in markers of gait and postural control and serial subtraction performance, from single to dual tasking. Significant dual-task costs to standing, walking, and serial subtraction performance were observed before tDCS (p < .01). These dual-task costs were less after real tDCS as compared with sham tDCS as well as compared with either pre-tDCS condition (p < .03). Further analyses indicated that tDCS did not alter single task performance but instead improved performance solely within dual-task conditions (p < .02). These results demonstrate that dual tasking can be improved by modulating prefrontal activity, thus indicating that dual-task decrements are modifiable and may not necessarily reflect an obligatory consequence of aging. Moreover, tDCS may ultimately serve as a novel approach to preserving dual-task capacity into senescence.

scholarly journals Healthy Older Adults’ Motivation and Knowledge Related to Food and Meals

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Sensory Stimuli ◽  
Knowledge Community ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Predominantly Female

The population over 60 years old is growing rapidly in Norway and in many other countries, and researchers often focus on elderly people and various diseases. This article examines the healthy elderly who are active in their daily lives to understand their motivation and knowledge about food and meals. The method used was CurroCus® group interviews, or fast focus groups. Nine CurroCus® groups were conducted, lasting for 37 to 56 minutes (average = 45 minutes). Altogether, 76 persons participated, ranging in age from 60 to 87 years; participants were predominantly female (>80%). The article discusses two areas: motivation and knowledge regarding food and meals. The collected empirical data were recorded, transcribed, and entered into NVivo 11.0. Interviews were analysed using a grounded theory approach. The results show that the respondents are concerned with six main areas: food intake, purchasing pattern, meal knowledge, community, service experience, and sensory triggers. The main contribution of this article is increased insights into healthy older adults’ interpretation of their motivation for healthy food and inspiring meals based on their extensive knowledge of the topics discussed. Future research will require more knowledge of various loneliness strategies and their effects. Government responsibility should focus on older people’s nutrient intake in the near future. Different sensory stimuli must be investigated in order for more people to help avoid malnutrition.

scholarly journals Healthy older adults balance pattern under dual task conditions: exploring the strategy and trend

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-212
Author(s):  
Bahareh Zeynalzadeh Ghoochani ◽  
Seyed Ali Hosseini ◽  
Saeed Talebian ◽  
Akbar Biglarian ◽  
Afsaneh Zeinalzadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Task Conditions

scholarly journals The Effects of Different Types of Dual Tasking on Balance in Healthy Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 933
Author(s):  
Graça Monteiro de Barros ◽  
Filipe Melo ◽  
Josefa Domingos ◽  
Raul Oliveira ◽  
Luís Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Motor Task ◽  
Dual Tasking ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Single Motor ◽  
Different Types

Numerous of our daily activities are performed within multitask or dual task conditions. These conditions involve the interaction of perceptual and motor processes involved in postural control. Age-related changes may negatively impact cognition and balance control. Studies identifying changes related to dual-task actions in older people are need. This study aimed to determine the effects of different types of dual-tasking on the balance control of healthy older adults. The sample included 36 community-living older adults, performing two tests—a sway test and a timed up-and-go test—in three conditions: (a) single motor task; (b) dual motor task; and (c) dual motor task with cognitive demands. Cognitive processes (dual-task and cognition) affected static balance, increasing amplitude (p < 0.001) and frequency (p < 0.001) of the center of mass displacements. Dynamic balance revealed significant differences between the single motor condition and the other two conditions during gait phases (p < 0.001). The effect of dual-tasking in older adults suggests that cognitive processes are a main cause of increased variability in balance and gait when under an automatic control. During sit-to-stand, turning, and turn-to-sit movements under dual-tasking, the perceptive information becomes the most important focus of attention, while any cognitive task becomes secondary.

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