Dual-Task Costs in Gait Speed Differs Across Age Groups

Abstract With age, there are simultaneous reductions in gait speed (GS). This decrease in GS has been associated with an increased fall risk and negatively impacts independence. Further, GS naturally declines with the addition of a secondary stimulus (i.e., cognitive requirements). Combined, these decrements can be additive in nature potentially leading to robust declines with advancing age. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine age-related effects of dual-task cost (DTC) while walking. Adults (N = 145), over the age of 45 years, completed two walking trials for each GS condition: habitual (HAB) and fast (FST), with and without a DT (i.e., counting backwards by serials of three). Subjects were classified into four age groups: youngest-old (YG ≤ 64 years, n = 24), young-old (YO, 65-74 years, n = 46), middle-old (MO = 75-84 years, n = 54), and oldest-old (OO ≥ 85 years, n = 21). DTC was calculated and ANOVAs were used to assess differences between the groups. There was no difference in HAB DTC between the age groups (p=.61). However, there was a significant difference in FST DTC (p=.04) between the YO (M±SD: -14 ± -11%) and OO (M±SD: -24 ± -12%). These data indicate there was an age-related affect for fast dual-task cost, but not for habitual dual-task cost while walking. An increase in dual-task cost among the oldest-old may be associated with an inability to properly maintain a faster cadence while performing an arithmetic task which may be related to task prioritization.

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The influence of osteopathic correction on the rate of various rhythms of the body

Russian Osteopathic Journal ◽

10.32885/2220-0975-2019-1-2-64-71 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 64-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. E. Chernikova ◽

Yu. P. Potekhina

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Respiratory Rate ◽

Age Groups ◽

Biomechanical Properties ◽

Dispersion Analysis ◽

The Body ◽

Body Tissues ◽

Age Related ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After

Introduction. An osteopathic examination determines the rate, the amplitude and the strength of the main rhythms (cardiac, respiratory and cranial). However, there are relatively few studies in the available literature dedicated to the influence of osteopathic correction (OC) on the characteristics of these rhythms.Goal of research — to study the influence of OC on the rate characteristics of various rhythms of the human body.Materials and methods. 88 adult osteopathic patients aged from 18 to 81 years were examined, among them 30 men and 58 women. All patients received general osteopathic examination. The rate of the cranial rhythm (RCR), respiratory rate (RR) heart rate (HR), the mobility of the nervous processes (MNP) and the connective tissue mobility (CTM) were assessed before and after the OC session.Results. Since age varied greatly in the examined group, a correlation analysis of age-related changes of the assessed rhythms was carried out. Only the CTM correlated with age (r=–0,28; p<0,05) in a statistically significant way. The rank dispersion analysis of Kruskal–Wallis also showed statistically significant difference in this indicator in different age groups (p=0,043). With the increase of years, the CTM decreases gradually. After the OC, the CTM, increased in a statistically significant way (p<0,0001). The RCR varied from 5 to 12 cycles/min in the examined group, which corresponded to the norm. After the OC, the RCR has increased in a statistically significant way (p<0,0001), the MNP has also increased (p<0,0001). The initial heart rate in the subjects varied from 56 to 94 beats/min, and in 15 % it exceeded the norm. After the OC the heart rate corresponded to the norm in all patients. The heart rate and the respiratory rate significantly decreased after the OC (р<0,0001).Conclusion. The described biorhythm changes after the OC session may be indicative of the improvement of the nervous regulation, of the normalization of the autonomic balance, of the improvement of the biomechanical properties of body tissues and of the increase of their mobility. The assessed parameters can be measured quickly without any additional equipment and can be used in order to study the results of the OC.

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Combining tDCS With a Motor-Cognitive Task to Reduce the Negative Impact of Dual-Tasking on the Gait of Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.921 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 287-288

Author(s):

Jeffrey Hausdorff ◽

Nofar Schneider ◽

Marina Brozgol ◽

Pablo Cornejo Thumm ◽

Nir Giladi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Executive Function ◽

Dual Task ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Virtual Reality Environment ◽

Dual Tasking ◽

Concurrent Performance ◽

Dual Task Cost

Abstract The simultaneous performance of a secondary task while walking (i.e., dual tasking) increases motor-cognitive interference and fall risk in older adults. Combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with the concurrent performance of a task that putatively involves the same brain networks targeted by the tDCS may reduce the negative impact of dual-tasking on walking. We examined whether tDCS applied while walking reduces the dual-task costs to gait and whether this combination is better than tDCS alone or walking alone (with sham stimulation). In 25 healthy older adults (aged 75.7±10.5yrs), a double-blind, within-subject, cross-over pilot study evaluated the acute after-effects of 20 minutes of tDCS targeting the primary motor cortex and the dorsal lateral pre frontal cortex during three separate sessions:1) tDCS while walking on a treadmill in a virtual-reality environment (tDCS+walking), 2) tDCS while seated (tDCS+seated), and 3) walking in the virtual-reality environment with sham tDCS (sham+walking). The complex walking condition taxed motor and cognitive abilities. During each session, single- and dual-task walking and cognitive function were assessed before and immediately after stimulation. Compared to pre-tDCS performance, tDCS+walking reduced the dual-task cost to gait speed (p=0.004) and other gait features (e.g., variability p=0.02), and improved (p<0.001) executive function (Stroop interference score). tDCS+seated and sham+walking did not affect the dual-task cost to gait speed (p>0.17). These initial findings demonstrate that tDCS delivered during challenging walking ameliorates dual-task gait and executive function in older adults, suggesting that the concurrent performance of related tasks enhances the efficacy of the neural stimulation and mobility.

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Individual Differences and Age-Related Changes in Time-Sharing Ability of Aviators

Proceedings of the Human Factors Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193128302700133 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 117-121 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rolf Braune ◽

Christopher D. Wickens

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Dual Task ◽

Age Groups ◽

Separate Analysis ◽

Negative Evidence ◽

Time Sharing ◽

Age Related ◽

Dual Task Performance ◽

General Slowing

Performance in single task and dual task configurations was examined across four different age groups to determine the presence of an attention deficit hypothesis with increasing chronological age. Although a general slowing of performance could be shown no interaction between age and dual task loadings could be observed which is interpreted as negative evidence for the attention deficit hypothesis. A separate analysis revealed individual differences in time-sharing ability within age groups to be a significant factor in dual task performance.

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Age Related Variation in Feminine Handwriting among Population Groups of Delhi, India

JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCE & CRIMINOLOGY ◽

10.15744/2348-9804.6.104 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Vijit Deepani ◽

A.K Kapoor ◽

Monika Saini

Keyword(s):

Significant Variation ◽

Research Result ◽

Age Groups ◽

Population Group ◽

Population Groups ◽

Related Variation ◽

Age Related ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Micro Features ◽

Lower Loop

Background: Handwriting is a uniquely human trait which progresses and evolves during lifetime and declines with age. The aim of the present paper is to assess variation in handwriting features with age among female writers of select population groups of Delhi, India (for roman script). Method: A total of 405 handwritten samples were obtained from female (n=405) writers in the age range of 14-60 years. Writers were stratified into three age groups (≤ 18 years, 19-38 years and ≥39 years) in accordance to population group. Macro- and micro-features of handwriting were extracted from the scanned handwritten samples. These features were subjected to statistical analysis in the objective driven research. Result: The mean difference among age groups for pen pressure, height of handwriting and handwriting connectivity was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Significant difference was also observed among age groups for all micro-features of handwriting selected in the present study, namely, nature of ‘i’ – dot (p < 0.001), nature of lower loop of ‘g’ (p < 0.01); nature of‘d’- stem (p < 0.01), nature of ‘m’-hump (p < 0.05) and ‘r’- shape (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study showed that there was a significant variation in both macro- and micro- features of handwriting with respect to age of the writer. Pen pressure, height of handwriting and handwriting connectivity were prominent macro-features that addressed age related variation in handwriting. In addition, significant variation was observed among age groups for all micro-features of handwriting selected in the present study. The present study has immense forensic significance as it can assist to analyze age of the writer on the basis of handwriting characteristics.

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MONITORING HEALTH INDICES IN FEMALES OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS

Hygiene and Sanitation ◽

10.18821/0016-9900-2019-98-8-827-832 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 98 (8) ◽

pp. 827-832

Author(s):

Olga S. Aminova ◽

N. N. Tyatenkova ◽

Yu. E. Uvarova ◽

S. V. Yakovlev

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Blood Cholesterol ◽

Dynamic State ◽

Social Functions ◽

Total Blood ◽

Health Indices ◽

Age Related ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Definition Of ◽

Functional Examination

Introduction. Health - is a complex and at the same integral multivariable dynamic state, developing in the process of realization of the genetic potential in a particular social and ecological environment, which permits a person to carry out its biological and social functions. Material and methods Health indices deteriorate with age. In this situation, special attention should be paid to older age groups. However, recent studies prefer to investigate young people. Data about health status of different age groups is not well investigated. Survey of 415 women aged 20 to 59 years residing on Yaroslavl region has been performed. Evaluation of age-related changes in health indices included questionnaire, morphological and functional examination, definition of physical development and adaptative potential according to the calculated indices and reference values. Results. The study examined the dynamics of health indices and established a statistically significant difference in the gain in body weight, blood pressure, total blood cholesterol, decreased lung capacity relative to body mass and adaptive capacity of the cardiovascular system with the age. Analysis of the incidence showed that chronic diseases incidence has increased from 56% in the 20-29 years group to 88% among 50-59 years old persons. Diseases of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system (48-49%) become predominant pathology with age. Evaluation of lifestyle shows that poor physical activity and sleep disorders were registered in 77% and 32% respectively regardless of age. Eating disorders were registered in 41% patients aged of 20-29 years. Ratio tobacco users decreased from 23% to 10% with age, while the number of cigarettes smoked per day was increased. Сonclusion. The study established the negative dynamics of health indices to be typical for women aged 20-59 years, while the rate of deterioration exceeds the average one in the Russian population. Self-preservation behavior is not predominant in all age groups, it is typical only for 3% of young women and 11-15% of other groups.

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Effects of the agility boot camp with cognitive challenge (ABC-C) exercise program for Parkinson’s disease

npj Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.1038/s41531-020-00132-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Se Hee Jung ◽

Naoya Hasegawa ◽

Martina Mancini ◽

Laurie A. King ◽

Patricia Carlson-Kuhta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Dual Task ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Treatment Effects ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Boot Camp ◽

Dual Task Cost ◽

Cognitive Challenge ◽

Updrs Part

Abstract Few exercise interventions practice both gait and balance tasks with cognitive tasks to improve functional mobility in people with PD. We aimed to investigate whether the Agility Boot Camp with Cognitive Challenge (ABC-C), that simultaneously targets both mobility and cognitive function, improves dynamic balance and dual-task gait in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). We used a cross-over, single-blind, randomized controlled trial to determine efficacy of the exercise intervention. Eighty-six people with idiopathic PD were randomized into either an exercise (ABC-C)-first or an active, placebo, education-first intervention and then crossed over to the other intervention. Both interventions were carried out in small groups led by a certified exercise trainer (90-min sessions, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks). Outcome measures were assessed Off levodopa at baseline and after the first and second interventions. A linear mixed-effects model tested the treatment effects on the Mini-BESTest for balance, dual-task cost on gait speed, SCOPA-COG, the UPDRS Parts II and III and the PDQ-39. Although no significant treatment effects were observed for the Mini-BESTest, SCOPA-COG or MDS-UPDRS Part III, the ABC-C intervention significantly improved the following outcomes: anticipatory postural adjustment sub-score of the Mini-BESTest (p = 0.004), dual-task cost on gait speed (p = 0.001), MDS-UPDRS Part II score (p = 0.01), PIGD sub-score of MDS-UPDRS Part III (p = 0.02), and the activities of daily living domain of the PDQ-39 (p = 0.003). Participants with more severe motor impairment or more severe cognitive dysfunction improved their total Mini-BESTest scores after exercise. The ABC-C exercise intervention can improve specific balance deficits, cognitive-gait interference, and perceived functional independence and quality of life, especially in participants with more severe PD, but a longer period of intervention may be required to improve global cognitive and motor function.

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Does age affect symptom recovery after sports-related concussion? A study of high school and college athletes

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2013.7.peds12572 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 537-544 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Young M. Lee ◽

Mitchell J. Odom ◽

Scott L. Zuckerman ◽

Gary S. Solomon ◽

Allen K. Sills

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

College Athletes ◽

Age Groups ◽

Reliable Change Index ◽

Health Concern ◽

P Value ◽

Symptom Scale ◽

Older Athletes ◽

Age Related ◽

Significant Difference

Object Sport-related concussions (SRCs) in high school and college athletes represent a significant public health concern. Research suggests that younger athletes fare worse symptomatically than older athletes after an SRC. Using reliable change index (RCI) methodology, the authors conducted a study to determine if there are age-related differences in number, severity, and resolution of postconcussion symptoms. Methods Between 2009 and 2011, baseline measures of neurocognitive functions and symptoms in high school and college athletes were entered into a regional database. Seven hundred forty of these athletes later sustained an SRC. Ninety-two athletes in the 13- to 16-year-old group and 92 athletes in the 18- to 22-year-old group were matched for number of prior concussions, sex, biopsychosocial variables, and days to first postconcussion testing and symptom assessment. A nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the severity of each of 22 symptoms comprising the Total Symptom Scale (TSS) at baseline and first postconcussion test. To obtain a family-wise p value of 0.05 for each test, the significance level for each symptom comparison was set at an alpha of 0.05/22 = 0.0023. The number of days to return to baseline TSS score was compared using the RCI methodology, set at the 80% confidence interval, equal to a change in raw score of 9.18 points on the TSS. Results There was no statistically significant difference in symptom presence, symptom severity, and total symptoms between the age groups at baseline or at postconcussion testing. There was no statistically significant difference in return to baseline symptom scores between the age groups. Conclusions Using RCI methodology, there was no statistically significant difference between younger and older athletes in return to baseline symptoms postconcussion.

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The presence of periopathogenic bacteria in subgingival and atherosclerotic plaques – An age related comparative analysis

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.10980 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 1088-1095 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ibrahim Kannosh ◽

Danijela Staletovic ◽

Bosko Toljic ◽

Milena Radunovic ◽

Ana Pucar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Vessels ◽

Age Groups ◽

Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽

Subgingival Plaque ◽

Periodontal Pathogens ◽

Periodontal Bacteria ◽

Oral Microflora ◽

Age Related ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Tannerella Forsythensis

Introduction: There is a known connection between periodontitis and atherosclerosis and the presence of periopathogens in blood vessels. However, changes of the oral microflora related to the aging process and its possible effects on atherosclerosis, have yet to be analyzed. The aim of this study was to assess temporal changes in the frequency of periodontal bacteria in the subgingival plaque and in atherosclerotic blood vessels of patients with atherosclerosis. Methodology:The study included 100 patients with atherosclerosis and periodontitis, divided into two groups, below and over 60 years of age. Clinical examinations were performedand subgingival plaque specimens were collected as well as biopsy specimens from the following arteries: coronary (34), carotid (29), abdominal (10), femoral (10), mammary (13) and iliac (4). Subgingival and artery specimens were subjected to PCR detection of 5 major periodontal pathogens: Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Tannerella forsythensis (Tf) and Treponema denticola (Td). Results:Tf was the most and Td the least frequent bacteria in both age groups and in both types of samples. The frequencies of bacteria in subgingival versus atherosclerotic samples were: Tf (76%:53%), Pi (71%:31%), Pg (60%:38%), Aa (39%:14%) and Td (21%:6%). Only Aa and Pi showed a significant difference of prevalence between younger and older patients. The most colonized artery was a. coronaria, followed by a. carotis, a. abdominalis, a. mammaria, and a. femoralis. Conclusions: Patient’s age and the distance of a given blood vessel from the oral cavity influenced microbiological findings in the atherotic plaque.

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The Dynamic Motor Control Index as a Marker of Age-Related Neuromuscular Impairment

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnagi.2021.678525 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

Author(s):

Ashley N. Collimore ◽

Ashlyn J. Aiello ◽

Ryan T. Pohlig ◽

Louis N. Awad

Keyword(s):

Motor Control ◽

Age Groups ◽

Neuromuscular Control ◽

Muscle Synergies ◽

Age Related ◽

Index Study ◽

Two Measures ◽

Study Participants ◽

Young Old ◽

Neuromuscular Impairment

Biomarkers that can identify age-related decline in walking function have potential to promote healthier aging by triggering timely interventions that can mitigate or reverse impairments. Recent evidence suggests that changes in neuromuscular control precede changes in walking function; however, it is unclear which measures are best suited for identifying age-related changes. In this study, non-negative matrix factorization of electromyography data collected during treadmill walking was used to calculate two measures of the complexity of muscle co-activations during walking for 36 adults: (1) the number of muscle synergies and (2) the dynamic motor control index. Study participants were grouped into young (18–35 years old), young-old (65–74 years old), and old–old (75+ years old) subsets. We found that the dynamic motor control index [χ2(2) = 9.41, p = 0.009], and not the number of muscle synergies [χ2(2) = 5.42, p = 0.067], differentiates between age groups [χ2(4) = 10.62, p = 0.031, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.297]. Moreover, an impairment threshold set at a dynamic motor control index of 90 (i.e., one standard deviation below the young adults) was able to differentiate between age groups [χ2(2) = 9.351, p = 0.009]. The dynamic motor control index identifies age-related differences in neuromuscular complexity not measured by the number of muscle synergies and may have clinical utility as a marker of neuromotor impairment.

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Age-Related Success with Elective Single versus Double Blastocyst Transfer

ISRN Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.5402/2011/656204 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Brooke E. Friedman ◽

Lynn B. Davis ◽

Ruth B. Lathi ◽

Lynn M. Westphal ◽

Valerie L. Baker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Blastocyst Transfer ◽

Multiple Gestation ◽

Optimal Outcome ◽

Singleton Pregnancy ◽

Multiple Gestations ◽

Age Related ◽

Single Blastocyst Transfer ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Single Versus

Background. Although the optimal outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a healthy singleton pregnancy, the rate of twin gestation from ART in women over the age of 35 is persistently high. Methods/Findings. We compared clinical pregnancy rates (PRs), ongoing pregnancy/live birth rates, and multiple gestation rates (MGRs) in 108 women who chose elective single blastocyst transfer (eSBT) to 415 women who chose elective double blastocyst transfer (eDBT) at a hospital-based IVF center. There was no significant difference in PR between eSBT and eDBT (57.4% versus 50.2%, ) nor between eSBT and eDBT within each age group: <35, 35–37, 38–40, and >40. The risk of multiple gestations, however, was greatly increased between eSBT and eDBT (1.6 versus 32.4%, ), and this difference did not vary across age groups. Conclusion(s). Women undergoing eDBT are at uniformly high risk of multiple gestation regardless of age. eSBT appears to significantly lower the risk of multiple gestation without compromising PR.

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