Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Measuring the Switch Cost of Smartphone Use While Walking
Published on: April 30, 2020
Age-related effects of immediate and delayed task switching in a targeted stepping task
Kyungwan Kim1, Lena Deller1, Marie Vinent1
1Institute of Movement and Sport Gerontology, German Sport University.
None:
The ability to quickly adapt steps while walking is pivotal for safe mobility. In a previous study of immediate switching between the two stepping tasks, older adults (OAs) performed worse than young adults (YAs). However, it remained unclear whether this difference was due to an inability to learn the tasks or an inability to quickly switch. Therefore, this study investigated treadmill walking while performing two targeted stepping tasks in conditions with immediate task switching (ITS) versus delayed task switching (DTS). Thirty YAs (aged 26.9 ± 3.1 years) and 32 OAs (aged 70.7 ± 7.3 years) were randomly assigned to either the ITS (ITS_YAs and ITS_OAs) or the DTS (DTS_YAs and DTS_OAs) group. Each group repeatedly switched between Task A (easy) and Task B (difficult) and completed three blocks (ABAB). Delayed switching involved 1-min breaks between both tasks. Results showed that ITS_OAs exhibited significantly more step errors and worse step accuracy, but that DTS_OAs were able to achieve a similar performance as YAs. Our findings underline an inability for quick gait adaptation during targeted stepping tasks in OAs, but the possibility to learn when delayed switching reduces task interference. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Related Concept Videos
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Timing and Consequences on Behavior
Humans, however, can respond to delayed reinforcers. We often make decisions between immediate small rewards and delayed larger rewards. This ability to delay gratification is a significant...
Transformations of Functions II

