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Motor Dual-Tasks for Gait Analysis and Evaluation in Post-Stroke Patients
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Inter-joint coordination variability decreases during dual-task treadmill running.
Hsiang-Ling Teng1, Jo Armour Smith2
1Department of Physical Therapy, California State University, Long Beach, CA, USA.
Sports Biomechanics
|October 20, 2025
Summary
Dual-task (DT) running, especially with difficult cognitive tasks, reduces coordination variability in runners. This effect on running mechanics is consistent across different speeds, suggesting decreased adaptability.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Motor Control
- Sports Science
Background:
- Running involves complex coordination of lower extremity and trunk segments.
- Cognitive load can impact motor performance and movement variability.
- Understanding how dual-tasking affects running mechanics is crucial for injury prevention and performance optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of dual-task (DT) running on coordination variability of the lower extremity and trunk.
- To determine if these effects differ across various running speeds.
- To assess the influence of cognitive task difficulty on running coordination.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-one recreational runners performed treadmill running under single-task (ST) and dual-task (DT-easy, DT-hard) conditions.
- Running trials were conducted at 85%, 100%, and 115% of preferred speed.
- Coordination variability was quantified using Vector Coding and Ellipse Area methods for lower extremity joints and trunk segments.
Main Results:
- Dual-task running, particularly with a difficult cognitive task (DT-hard), significantly reduced coordination variability compared to single-task (ST) running.
- Slower running speeds were associated with greater coordination variability.
- No significant interaction between task condition and running speed was observed.
Conclusions:
- Cognitively demanding dual-task conditions lead to reduced movement adaptability in runners.
- Coordination variability decreases under dual-tasking, indicating altered motor control strategies.
- Incorporating dual-task paradigms in evaluation and training may enhance real-world running preparedness.
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