Countermovement Jump Performance Is Altered by Visual and Auditory Cognitive Dual Tasking in Recreationally Active...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Motor Control

Background:

• Cognitive-motor interference is crucial in athletic performance.
• Understanding its impact on sport-specific tasks aids strength and conditioning.
• Previous assessments may not fully represent athletic environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effects of cognitive-motor dual tasking on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a low-cost movement assessment system in quantifying these effects.
• To compare the impact of visual versus auditory dual tasks on CMJ.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-one recreationally active adults performed CMJs under control, auditory dual task, and visual dual task conditions.
• A low-cost system (force plate, depth camera) assessed kinematic and kinetic variables.
• Repeated-measures ANOVA and post hoc tests analyzed performance changes.

Main Results:

• Both visual and auditory dual tasks significantly decreased CMJ performance compared to control.
• Key metrics affected included concentric phase time, time to takeoff, and jump height.
• No significant difference was found between the effects of auditory and visual dual tasks.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive-motor dual tasks negatively impact CMJ performance.
• A low-cost assessment system can effectively quantify these performance decrements.
• Findings are relevant for optimizing training in sport-specific contexts.