Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2025

Kinematic Analysis Using 3D Motion Capture of Drinking Task in People With and Without Upper-extremity Impairments
Published on: March 28, 2018
Cognitive load causes kinematic changes in both elite and non-elite rowers
Henrik Herrebrøden1, Alexander Refsum Jensenius2, Thomas Espeseth3
1RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1133, Blindern, Oslo 0318, Norway; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1094, Blindern, Oslo 0317, Norway.
Cognitive load impacts rowing performance by increasing movement complexity, regardless of skill level. Elite and non-elite rowers alike showed changes in kinematics under dual-task conditions, challenging automaticity theories.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Motor Control
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Extraneous cognitive load can impair primary motor task performance and kinematics.
- The progression-regression hypothesis suggests reduced complexity under cognitive demand.
- Automaticity theories posit experts maintain performance under dual-tasking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of cognitive load on rowing kinematics in elite and non-elite rowers.
- To test whether motor experts are immune to performance decrements under dual-task conditions.
- To examine the validity of automaticity theories in the context of sports performance.
Main Methods:
- Experiment involving elite and non-elite rowers on a rowing ergometer.
- Single-task (rowing only) and dual-task (rowing and arithmetic) conditions were used.
- Kinematic analysis of rowing movements under varying cognitive loads.
Main Results:
- Participants reduced movement complexity under high cognitive load (dual-tasking).
- Kinematic changes occurred irrespective of the rower's skill level.
- No significant interaction between skill level and cognitive load was found.
Conclusions:
- Findings contradict automaticity theories, suggesting attentional resources are crucial for optimal sports performance.
- Cognitive load affects motor performance even in skilled athletes.
- Movement complexity reduction is a common response to increased cognitive demand.
Related Concept Videos
Eccentric Loading
Impact Loading
In cases of elastic deformation,...

