Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Age differences in postural stability are increased by additional cognitive demands

E A Maylor1, A M Wing

  • 1MRC Applied Psychology Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Elizabeth.Maylor@warwick.ac.uk

The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
|May 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Phase correction in violin ensemble performance.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Human bipedal instability in tree canopy environments is reduced by "light touch" fingertip support.

Scientific reports·2017
Same author

Attentional focus of feedback for improving performance of reach-to-grasp after stroke: a randomised crossover study.

Physiotherapy·2013
Same author

Grip force regulates hand impedance to optimize object stability in high impact loads.

Neuroscience·2011
Same author

Multisensory cues improve sensorimotor synchronisation.

The European journal of neuroscience·2010
Same author

Being discrete helps keep to the beat.

Experimental brain research·2008
Same journal

Aging with dual burdens: Cross-national evidence on mortality among older Hispanic adults with diabetes and dementia.

The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences·2026
Same journal

Social vulnerability and the mental health consequences of the death of a close friend in older adulthood.

The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences·2026
Same journal

Daily Loneliness and Subjective Well-being as a Function of Older Adults' Sexual Orientation.

The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences·2026
Same journal

Do Changes in Sense of Purpose in Life Predict Charitable Giving Among U.S. Older Adults? The Moderating Role of Financial Planning Horizon.

The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences·2026
Same journal

Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms: The Role of Psychological Resilience across Racial and Ethnic Groups.

The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences·2026
Same journal

The role of depressive symptoms, episodic memory, and executive functioning on prospective memory: New insights from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences·2026
See all related articles

Older adults experience greater declines in postural stability during demanding cognitive tasks. Specifically, tasks engaging the visuo-spatial sketchpad significantly worsen age-related postural control deficits.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gerontology
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Ageing is associated with declines in postural stability.
  • Cognitive function also declines with age, potentially impacting motor control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of cognitive tasks on postural stability in older adults.
  • To determine if specific cognitive demands exacerbate age-related postural control deficits.

Main Methods:

  • Two age groups (57 and 77 years) stood on a force platform.
  • Participants performed five cognitive tasks and a control condition.
  • Postural stability was measured during each condition.

Main Results:

  • Postural stability decreased with age across all conditions.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Age-related differences in postural stability were significantly larger during visuo-spatial tasks (Brooks' spatial memory, backward digit recall).
  • These specific task effects remained significant even after controlling for general postural stability, cognitive performance, intelligence, and speed.

    • Conclusions:

    • Cognitive tasks that heavily utilize the visuo-spatial sketchpad component of working memory disproportionately impair postural stability in older adults.
    • Targeted interventions may be needed to address age-related dual-tasking deficits in postural control.