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Continuous Cognitive Tasks Improve Postural Control Compared to Discrete Cognitive Tasks
Yves Lajoie1, Natalie Richer1, Deborah A Jehu1
1a School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa , Ontario , Canada.
Journal of Motor Behavior
|October 28, 2015
Summary
Continuous cognitive tasks improve postural control more than discrete tasks. This suggests continuous tasks promote automatic postural control by reducing conscious attention demands.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Motor Control
Background:
- Postural control is influenced by cognitive load.
- The specific effects of different cognitive task types on postural control are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how discrete versus continuous cognitive tasks affect postural control in healthy adults.
- To determine if task type influences the automaticity of postural control.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen healthy young adults stood on a force platform.
- Participants performed randomly assigned discrete and continuous cognitive tasks.
- Postural control was assessed using center of pressure (COP) measures.
Main Results:
- Continuous cognitive tasks led to significant improvements in postural control.
- Improvements were observed in the 95% confidence ellipse area and COP standard deviation (anterior-posterior and medial-lateral).
- Discrete tasks did not yield the same level of postural control enhancement.
Conclusions:
- Continuous cognitive tasks enhance postural control compared to discrete tasks.
- This suggests continuous tasks facilitate automatic postural control by minimizing conscious attention.
- Findings contribute to understanding cognitive-motor interactions in postural regulation.
