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The effects of aging on postural control and selective attention when stepping down while performing a concurrent
William W N Tsang1, Nazca K Y Lam, Kit N L Lau
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China, william.tsang@polyu.edu.hk.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|October 5, 2013
Summary
Older adults exhibit poorer cognitive performance and altered postural control during dual-tasking compared to younger adults. This suggests older individuals prioritize balance over cognitive function when performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Aging is associated with declines in both cognitive function and postural control.
- Understanding how these functions interact during complex tasks is crucial for fall prevention in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of aging on postural control and cognitive performance.
- To compare single-tasking versus dual-tasking conditions in young and older adults.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional comparative study involving young (21.9±2.4 years) and older adults (71.9±6.4 years).
- Postural control after stepping down was assessed with and without a concurrent auditory response task.
- Measurements included cognitive task reaction time and error rate, and postural sway (path and area).
Main Results:
- Older adults exhibited significantly longer reaction times and higher error rates than younger adults in both single- and dual-tasking.
- Older adults showed increased sway area but decreased sway path in single-leg stance compared to young adults.
- While younger adults improved sway during dual-tasking, older adults maintained sway, indicating a prioritization of postural stability.
Conclusions:
- Older adults prioritize maintaining postural control over cognitive performance when engaged in dual-tasking.
- This trade-off in resource allocation may contribute to increased fall risk in aging populations.
