BACKGROUND: Quick step execution may prevent falls when balance is lost; adding a concurrent task delays this function. We investigate whether push-off force-time relations during the execution of rapid voluntary stepping is affected by a secondary task in older and young adults. METHODS: Nineteen healthy older adults and 12 young adults performed rapid voluntary stepping under single- and dual-task conditions. Peak power, peak force, and time to peak force during preparatory and swing phases of stepping were extracted from center of pressure and ground reaction force data. RESULTS: For dual-task condition compared with single-task condition, older adults show a longer time to reach peak force during the preparation and swing phases compared with young adults (approximately 25% vs approximately 10%, respectively). Peak power and peak force were not affected by a concurrent attention-demanding task. CONCLUSION: Older adults have difficulty allocating sufficient attention for fast muscle recruitment when concurrently challenged by an attention-demanding task.
BACKGROUND: Quick step execution may prevent falls when balance is lost; adding a concurrent task delays this function. We investigate whether push-off force-time relations during the execution of rapid voluntary stepping is affected by a secondary task in older and young adults. METHODS: Nineteen healthy older adults and 12 young adults performed rapid voluntary stepping under single- and dual-task conditions. Peak power, peak force, and time to peak force during preparatory and swing phases of stepping were extracted from center of pressure and ground reaction force data. RESULTS: For dual-task condition compared with single-task condition, older adults show a longer time to reach peak force during the preparation and swing phases compared with young adults (approximately 25% vs approximately 10%, respectively). Peak power and peak force were not affected by a concurrent attention-demanding task. CONCLUSION: Older adults have difficulty allocating sufficient attention for fast muscle recruitment when concurrently challenged by an attention-demanding task.
Authors: Robin M Daly; Rachel L Duckham; Jamie L Tait; Timo Rantalainen; Caryl A Nowson; Dennis R Taaffe; Kerrie Sanders; Keith D Hill; Dawson J Kidgell; Lucy Busija Journal: Trials Date: 2015-03-27 Impact factor: 2.279
Authors: Jamie L Tait; Rachel L Duckham; Catherine M Milte; Luana C Main; Robin M Daly Journal: Front Aging Neurosci Date: 2017-11-07 Impact factor: 5.750
Authors: Francis Trombini-Souza; Marcelo de Maio Nascimento; Tarcísio Fulgêncio Alves da Silva; Rodrigo Cappato de Araújo; Mônica Rodrigues Perracini; Isabel C N Sacco Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2020-02-22 Impact factor: 3.921