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Effects of Walking on Anticipatory Brain Processing During a Concurrent Cognitive Task.
BiancaMaria Di Bello1, Camilla Panacci2, Sveva Montesano3
1Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.
Psychophysiology
|May 5, 2025
Summary
Walking while performing cognitive tasks can enhance brain preparation and improve performance. This study found that walking boosts motor and cognitive processes, leading to faster, more accurate responses, supporting the multiple resources theory.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Motor Control
Background:
- Motor and cognitive functions are interconnected.
- Dual-tasking, especially walking during cognitive tasks, yields inconsistent performance outcomes in existing literature.
- The impact of walking on task anticipation processes requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how walking affects motor and cognitive brain processes during task anticipation in a visual discrimination task.
- To compare brain activity during static standing versus treadmill walking while performing a cognitive task.
- To assess the influence of optic flow on these processes during realistic walking conditions.
Main Methods:
- Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from participants.
- Two conditions were tested: static standing and treadmill walking.
- The presence or absence of optic flow was manipulated during the walking condition.
Main Results:
- Walking enhanced both motor and cognitive preparation, leading to improved response speed and accuracy.
- Optic flow improved motor preparation and reduced response time but decreased cognitive preparation and accuracy.
- Increased cortical activation in prefrontal and premotor areas was observed during walking.
Conclusions:
- Walking during visuomotor cognitive tasks can optimize cortical integration and enhance cognitive performance.
- The findings support the multiple resources theory for non-interfering dual tasks.
- Realistic walking conditions with optic flow offer benefits but may increase cognitive load.
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