Concurrent performance of a cognitive and dynamic obstacle avoidance task: influence of dual-task training

Area of Science:

• Cognitive psychology
• Motor control
• Human performance

Background:

• Simultaneous performance of attention-demanding tasks is complex and not fully understood.
• Optimal practice strategies for dual-tasking remain an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the most effective practice strategies for performing two simultaneous attention-demanding tasks.
• To determine if practicing tasks concurrently leads to better performance outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Eighteen young adults performed a locomotor task (walking and stepping over obstacles) concurrently with an auditory Stroop test.
• Participants were randomly assigned to practice both tasks simultaneously, practice only the cognitive task, or receive no practice.
• Performance improvements were assessed by analyzing gait velocity variability, obstacle clearance, and takeoff distance.

Main Results:

• The group practicing both tasks simultaneously demonstrated significant improvements in the locomotor task.
• Improvements included reduced variability in gait velocity, enhanced obstacle clearance, and more consistent takeoff distance.
• The single-task practice and no-practice groups did not show comparable improvements.

Conclusions:

• Practicing two concurrent, attention-demanding tasks leads to the best performance improvement for both.
• Dual-task practice is a superior strategy for optimizing performance when tasks must be performed simultaneously.