BACKGROUND: Although the attention directed to gait does increase as an impending obstacle nears, it remains unclear whether the allocation of attentional resources differs between the precrossing phase of obstacle negotiation and the crossing phase of this task. This study compared the attentional demands associated with steady-state walking and the precrossing and crossing phases of an obstacle-negotiation task between young and older adults. METHODS: Fifteen younger and 15 older adults participated in this study. Participants were required to perform a verbal reaction time task during three events: (1) steady-state unobstructed gait, (2) precrossing (the final full stride prior to obstacle crossing), and (3) obstacle crossing. RESULTS: The attention directed during precrossing exceeds that of steady-state walking for both younger and older adults. Younger adults direct more attention to gait during precrossing than they do during crossing. However, precrossing is equally attentionally demanding as crossing for older adults, and both of these events require more attention than does steady-state gait in this age group. CONCLUSIONS: The task of obstacle negotiation, from precrossing through obstacle crossing, is attentionally demanding for elderly persons, and fall risk, due to a compromised availability of attentional resources, does occur prior to obstacle crossing in this age group.
BACKGROUND: Although the attention directed to gait does increase as an impending obstacle nears, it remains unclear whether the allocation of attentional resources differs between the precrossing phase of obstacle negotiation and the crossing phase of this task. This study compared the attentional demands associated with steady-state walking and the precrossing and crossing phases of an obstacle-negotiation task between young and older adults. METHODS: Fifteen younger and 15 older adults participated in this study. Participants were required to perform a verbal reaction time task during three events: (1) steady-state unobstructed gait, (2) precrossing (the final full stride prior to obstacle crossing), and (3) obstacle crossing. RESULTS: The attention directed during precrossing exceeds that of steady-state walking for both younger and older adults. Younger adults direct more attention to gait during precrossing than they do during crossing. However, precrossing is equally attentionally demanding as crossing for older adults, and both of these events require more attention than does steady-state gait in this age group. CONCLUSIONS: The task of obstacle negotiation, from precrossing through obstacle crossing, is attentionally demanding for elderly persons, and fall risk, due to a compromised availability of attentional resources, does occur prior to obstacle crossing in this age group.
Authors: Ka-Chun Siu; Robert D Catena; Li-Shan Chou; Paul van Donkelaar; Marjorie H Woollacott Journal: Exp Brain Res Date: 2007-08-24 Impact factor: 1.972
Authors: Anne Shumway-Cook; Jack M Guralnik; Caroline L Phillips; Antonia K Coppin; Marcia A Ciol; Stefania Bandinelli; Luigi Ferrucci Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2007-01 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Sudeshna A Chatterjee; Rachael D Seidler; Jared W Skinner; Paige E Lysne; Chanoan Sumonthee; Samuel S Wu; Ronald A Cohen; Dorian K Rose; Adam J Woods; David J Clark Journal: Innov Aging Date: 2020-08-10
Authors: Tiphanie E Raffegeau; Sarah A Brinkerhoff; Grace K Kellaher; Sidney Baudendistel; Matthew J Terza; Jaimie A Roper; Chris J Hass Journal: Exp Gerontol Date: 2022-01-26 Impact factor: 4.032
Authors: Ka Chun Siu; Vipul Lugade; Li Shan Chou; Paul van Donkelaar; Marjorie H Woollacott Journal: Aging Clin Exp Res Date: 2008-08 Impact factor: 3.636