Reaction time for peripheral visual field increases during stepping task in older adults
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Published on: September 18, 2012
Kazuki Uemura1, Minoru Yamada, Koutatsu Nagai
1Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Daikouminami, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, Japan. kazuki.uemura@gmail.com
Background And Aims:
For safe locomotion, visual attention must be directed toward not only the central visual field but also the peripheral visual field. This study explored the effect of stepping task on reaction time for the central and peripheral visual fields in young and older adults.
Methods:
Nine older (mean age 83.8±6.8 years) and 11 young adults (mean age 22.9±1.3 years) participated in this study. Reaction times to press a handheld button in response to stimuli for the central and peripheral visual fields were measured in static standing and stepping task conditions.
Results:
Vision angle and condition were significantly associated with reaction time in the older group (p=0.006), while reaction time in the young group was affected by vision angle only. Reaction times for visual stimulus at a 45° vision angle were significantly longer in the older group in stepping task conditions than in static standing conditions.
Conclusions:
Effective visual field may diminish during lightly loaded exercise in older adults.
