Dual-task performance during a climbing traverse
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Updated: May 28, 2026

Revised and Neuroimaging-Compatible Versions of the Dual Task Screen
Published on: October 5, 2020
Alexander L Green1, William S Helton
1Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand.
Abstract:
High-angle climbing is a physically and cognitively challenging activity. Whilst researchers have examined the physiological demands of climbing, the cognitive demands have been relatively neglected. In this experiment, we examined the performance of climbers when required to perform a dual climbing and word memory task, relative to single-task performance (word memory or climbing alone). Whilst there was no significant decrease in climbing distance during the dual-task condition, climbing efficiency was impaired, as was word recall. Participants' Energetic Arousal, Tense Arousal and Task-unrelated Thoughts (TUTs) all changed dependent on the condition, with arousal increasing after the climbing conditions, and TUTs decreasing after the memory-load conditions. These results could be expanded on in future research to examine the physical and cognitive demands of high-angle climbing in greater detail.
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