Role of cognition and priming in interlimb generalization of adaptive control of gait stability.

The authors examined the impact of (a) awareness of impending slip and (b) priming (to accelerate learning) on interlimb transfer of acquired stability control. Among the participants, 12 of 24 young individuals were not informed of 2 impending slips on the nontrained left-side (UNWARN), whereas the other 12 knew the exact timing and location of the 1st left slip (WARN) following 24 right-side slips, given to all participants while walking. Both groups reduced the backward loss of balance (BLOB) incidence from 100% on the first slip to 0% on 24th slip. The authors found significantly better transfer of the improved stability control in WARN than in UNWARN, resulting in a greater reduction in BLOB on the 1st left slip (55% vs. 92%, respectively). The priming was evident with no BLOB on the 2nd left slip versus 50% on the 2nd right slip. Thus, the interlimb generalization can be improved by cognition and evidenced in priming.