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Influence of a visuo-spatial, verbal and central executive working memory task on postural control
M C Dault1, J S Frank, F Allard
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ont., N2L 3G1, Canada. mcdault@healthy.uwaterloo.ca
Gait & Posture
|September 7, 2001
Summary
Adding working memory (WM) tasks, regardless of type or difficulty, increases postural sway control. This suggests the central nervous system prioritizes cognitive load by adopting a tighter postural strategy.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Human Factors
Background:
- Working memory (WM) is crucial for cognitive tasks.
- Postural control is essential for stability.
- Interactions between cognitive load and motor control are complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different working memory tasks on postural control.
- To examine how varying postural challenges affect working memory performance.
- To explore the central nervous system's strategy in managing dual-tasking.
Main Methods:
- Participants performed verbal, visuo-spatial, and central executive WM tasks.
- Postural sway was measured under sitting, shoulder width, and tandem stance conditions.
- WM performance was assessed across different postural challenges and task difficulties.
Main Results:
- WM tasks increased postural sway frequency and decreased amplitude, indicating tighter control.
- No significant differences in postural control were observed across different WM task types.
- WM task addition did not alter postural sway when task difficulty varied.
- Postural stance modifications did not affect WM performance.
Conclusions:
- The central nervous system adopts a unified tighter postural control strategy when faced with any WM task.
- Cognitive load from WM tasks, irrespective of type or difficulty, drives this unified control strategy.
- This suggests a general capacity limitation influencing the interplay between cognition and posture.