Role of Gender in Dual-Tasking Timed Up and Go Tests: A Cross-Sectional Study

Influence of Sex on Cognitive and Motor Dual-Task Performance Among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the sex-related differences in single-task performance through motor torque, cognitive tasks and walking speed, and the combined dual-task costs (DTCs) considering both motor and cognitive performance in young adults.

METHODS

Sixty-seven non-athletic subjects 37 females and 30 males were enrolled. The study measured their knee extension muscle torque using an isokinetic strength dynamometer and their walking speed using the one step app. these assessments were performed both with and without a cognitive task, and the DTCs were calculated.

RESULTS

The females exhibited significantly larger motor performance dual task effect through (torque-DTC, speed-DTC) compared with males while exhibiting smaller cognitive dual task effect with muscle torque and speed.

CONCLUSION

Deterioration in motor performance during muscle force production and speed during dual tasks was large in females compared to males, whereas males experience a decline in cognitive ability when performing dual tasks compared with females.

Risky behavior during stair descent for young adults: Differences in men versus women

Injuries commonly occur on stairs, with high injury rates in young adults, especially young women. High injury rates could result from physiological and/or behavioral differences; this study focuses on behaviors. The purposes of this observational study were (1) to quantify young adult behaviors during stair descent and (2) to identify differences in stair descent behavior for young adult men versus women. Young adult pedestrians (N = 2,400, 1,470 men and 930 women) were videotaped during descent of two indoor campus staircases, a short staircase (2 steps) and a long staircase (17 steps). Behaviors during stair descent were coded by experimenters. Risky behaviors observed on the short staircase included: No one used the handrail, 16.1% used an electronic device, and 16.4% had in-person conversations. On the long staircase: 64.8% of pedestrians did not use the handrail, 11.9% used an electronic device, and 14.5% had in-person conversations. Risky behaviors observed more in women included: less likely to use the handrail (long staircase), more likely to carry an item in their hands (both staircases), more likely to engage in conversation (both staircases), and more likely to wear sandals or heels (both staircases) (p≤0.05). Protective behaviors observed more in women included: less likely to skip steps (both staircases), and more likely to look at treads during transition steps (long staircase) (p≤0.05). The number of co-occurring risky behaviors was higher in women: 1.9 vs 2.3, for men vs women, respectively (p<0.001). Five pedestrians lost balance but did not fall; four of these pedestrians lost balance on the top step and all five had their gaze diverted from the steps at the time balance was lost. The observed behaviors may be related to the high injury rate of stair-related falls in young adults, and young women specifically.

Jump Height and Hip Power Decrease During Cognitive Loading Regardless of Sex: Implications for Sport Performance Metrics

ABSTRACT

Shumski, EJ, Lempke, LB, Johnson, RS, Oh, J, Schmidt, JD, and Lynall, RC. Jump height and hip power decrease during cognitive loading regardless of sex: implications for sport performance metrics. J Strength Cond Res 37(4): 793-798, 2023-Sex and cognitive loading separately influence jumping performance. However, it is unknown how cognitive loading influences jump performance and how sex and cognitive loading interact. The purpose of our study was to determine if an interaction existed between sex and cognitive loading for the dependent variables jump height, ground contact time, reactive strength index, vertical stiffness, impulse, and lower extremity joint power during a double limb drop vertical jump. Twenty-one male (23.2 ± 2.5 years, 180.8 ± 8.4 cm, 80.4 ± 10.2 kg) and 20 female (21.7 ± 1.0 years, 163.7 ± 8.2 cm, 61.2 ± 9.4 kg) physically active individuals participated. Subjects jumped from a 30 cm box placed 50% of their height away from 2 force plates under single-task and dual-task (serial 6s or 7s) conditions. Separate 2 × 2 analyses of variance were used for all dependent variables (α = 0.05) with Bonferroni post hoc mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). There were no significant interactions for any outcomes ( p ≥ 0.190). Condition main effects demonstrated subjects jumped significantly higher (1.84 cm, 95% CI = 0.68-3.01, d = 0.26, p = 0.003) and with greater hip power (0.29 Watts·BW -1 ·HT -1 , 95% CI = 0.04-0.54, d = 0.21, p = 0.025) during single task compared with dual task. Sex main effects revealed males jumped higher (9.88 cm, 95% CI = 7.00-12.77, d = 2.17, p < 0.001), with greater reactive strength index (0.29, 95% CI = 0.17-0.41, d = 1.52, p < 0.001), greater ankle power (3.70 Watts·BW -1 ·HT -1 , 95% CI = 2.26-5.13, d = 1.64, p < 0.001), and greater knee power (5.00 Watts·BW -1 ·HT -1 , 95% CI = 3.25-6.75, d = 1.82, p < 0.001) compared with females. Jump performance is influenced by sex and dual-task conditions but not their interaction. To optimize jumping performance, testing should be completed without distractions (single task) to decrease cognitive loading.

Dual-tasking interference is exacerbated outdoors: A pilot study

Introduction

Walking while texting can create gait disturbances that may increase fall risk, especially in outdoors environment. To date, no study has quantified the effect of texting on motor behavior using different dynamic tasks in outdoor environments. We aimed to explore the impact of texting on dynamic tasks in indoor and outdoor environments.

Methods

Twenty participants (age 38.3 ± 12.5 years, 12 F) had a Delsys inertial sensor fixed on their back and completed walk, turn, sit-to-stand, and stand-to-sit subtasks with and without texting in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Results

While there was no difference in texting accuracy (p = 0.3), there was a higher dual-tasking cost in walking time with texting outdoors than indoors (p = 0.008).

Discussion

Dual tasking has a greater impact on walking time outdoors compared to an indoor environment. Our findings highlight the importance of patient education concerning dual-tasking and pedestrian safety in clinical settings.

Effects of gender on dual-tasking and prioritization in older adults

BACKGROUND

The ability to produce effective posture and balance while distracted (dual-tasking; DT), is critical for mobility. In particular, individuals implicit prioritization across posture and secondary, distracting stimuli may impact fall risk. However, the impact of gender on DT and prioritization during gait is poorly understood.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Does gender impact DT effects or prioritization while DT walking?

METHODS

One hundred older adults participated. The timed up and go (TUG) was completed with and without a secondary cognitive task (counting backwards by 3's). Gait (time to complete the TUG), and cognitive (rate of correct numbers listed) performance was recorded during both single tasks and while dual-tasking. DT effects were calculated for cognitive and gait performance. Prioritization was calculated as the difference between cognitive and gait DT effects. The effect of gender on DT and prioritization was assessed, controlling for age and cognitive ability.

RESULTS

Gender by condition (single vs. dual-task) interaction effects were observed (Gait: F_1,96 =8.7; p = 0.004; Cognition: F_1,96 =5.2; p = 0.024) such that, compared to male participants, females exhibited smaller cognitive DT effects, and larger gait DT effects. Further, females exhibited significantly larger prioritization scores (F_1,95 =10.0, p = 0.002), indicating a cognitive prioritization compared to males.

SIGNIFICANCE

Given the link between posture-second strategies and falls, the current findings may provide some insight into previous results suggesting an increased fall-risk in older-adult women. However, this study did not investigate falls. Therefore, additional work is necessary to confirm current findings and further investigate the relationship between gender, prioritization, and falls; and its possible clinical relevance.

Effect of upper extremity constraints on functional and dynamic postural control in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

PURPOSE

To compare the effects of upper extremity constraints on functional and dynamic postural control in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and 12 typically developing children ages 5 to 12 years (GMFCS I-II) were evaluated with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Biodex Balance System during three upper extremity (UE) conditions: 1) Free UEs (no constraints), 2) Simple UE constraint (unaffected/dominant UE constrained with a sling), and 3) Difficult UE constraint (Simple constraint plus the other UE holding cup of water).

RESULTS

The UE condition had significant effects on Overall Stability Index (OSI) (F_(2,44) = 24.899, p < .001), Medial-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI) (F_(2,44) = 4.380, p = .018), Anterior-Posterior Stability Index (F_(2,44) = 6.187, p = .004), and TUG scores (F_(2,44) = 113.372, p < .001). Group was significant for OSI (F_(1,22) = 7.906, p = .010), MLSI (F_(1,22) = 13.113, p = .002), and TUG (F_(1,22) = 36.282, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The upper extremity appears to have a role in maintaining functional balance and postural stability in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and should be considered during intervention programs.

Assessment of dual-tasking during a dynamic balance task using a smartphone app: a pilot study

[Purpose] To assess if the instrumented Timed Up and Go (iTUG) task score calculated with an iPhone application can detect gait changes under dual-tasking conditions. [Participants and Methods] Twenty participants (age 38.30 ± 12.54, 12 females) were asked to complete the TUG as a single task and under two dual-tasking conditions: 1) verbal fluency and 2) mental calculation. We used a smartphone, stopwatch, digital camera, and wearable sensor to calculate the dependent variables which included time, step count, gait speed, and iTUG score and, the dual-tasking cost (DTC) of those variables. We used Friedman analyses of variance and Wilcoxon tests for statistical analyses. [Results] the iTUG score, step count, gait speed, and the time measured by the stopwatch and wearable sensor differed significantly for all tasks, but the smartphone time did not. [Conclusion] We conclude that the iTUG score could be used as a sensitive measure for identifying gait changes under dual-tasking conditions. With the growing demands of telehealth, using technology as an objective tool for movement analysis is needed for clinicians and payers. Our findings demonstrate the potential value of the iTUG score to assess and track patient’s progress.

The Untapped Potential of Virtual Reality in Rehabilitation of Balance and Gait in Neurological Disorders

Dynamic systems theory transformed our understanding of motor control by recognizing the continual interaction between the organism and the environment. Movement could no longer be visualized simply as a response to a pattern of stimuli or as a demonstration of prior intent; movement is context dependent and is continuously reshaped by the ongoing dynamics of the world around us. Virtual reality is one methodological variable that allows us to control and manipulate that environmental context. A large body of literature exists to support the impact of visual flow, visual conditions, and visual perception on the planning and execution of movement. In rehabilitative practice, however, this technology has been employed mostly as a tool for motivation and enjoyment of physical exercise. The opportunity to modulate motor behavior through the parameters of the virtual world is often ignored in practice. In this article we present the results of experiments from our laboratories and from others demonstrating that presenting particular characteristics of the virtual world through different sensory modalities will modify balance and locomotor behavior. We will discuss how movement in the virtual world opens a window into the motor planning processes and informs us about the relative weighting of visual and somatosensory signals. Finally, we discuss how these findings should influence future treatment design.

Dual-tasking in older women: physical activity or else?

The interplay between gender, Physical Activity (PA), and Dual Tasking (DT) in older adults is unclear. This study aimed to address DT based on gender and PA level. One-hundred and twenty older adults (81 women and 39 men) participated. Timed up and go test and spatiotemporal gait measures were collected in single and DT conditions. Participants were grouped according to gender and PA level. Physical activity did not explain gender differences, women were slower and had shorter stride lengths when DT regardless of PA level. Findings indicate the necessity for tailored PA and functional interventions to improve women's performance.

Balance confidence and turning behavior as a measure of fall risk

BACKGROUND

Diminished balance confidence increases the risk of a fall and falls that occur when turning during walking are associated with an eightfold increase in hip fractures compared to when walking in a straight trajectory. Although an effect of aging on turning is revealed, the role of gender during turning is not yet clear.

RESEARCH QUESTION

How can balance confidence impact turning behavior in younger, middle-aged, and older men and women?

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 22 young adults (11 women), 13 middle-aged adults (9 women), and 13 older adults (6 women). Participants ranked their balance confidence using the activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) scale and completed two different turns: Turn1 (around the cone) and Turn2 (turn to sit). Measures obtained for each turn included: turning time, step count, and peak trunk velocities (PTV) in pitch, yaw, and roll.

RESULTS

In Turn1, older adults exhibited an increase in turning time and step count relative to younger adults (both p < 0.03). In Turn2, older adults showed an increase in turning time and roll PTV compared to the middle-aged group (both p < 0.02). Lower scores in ABC were significantly correlated with an increase in Turn1 time (p < 0.001) and step count (p = 0.04) in middle-aged and older adults, respectively. Bivariate correlations revealed that women with lower scores on the ABC took more time to complete both turns (both p = 0.01).

SIGNIFICANCE

Older adults demonstrated longer turning time, more steps, and higher roll PTV while turning that were associated with decreased balance confidence scores. The association between decreased balance confidence and turning kinematics implies a relationship between turning and increased fall risk. These results suggest that testing for fall risk requires tests of activities that are performed outside traditional clinical settings and gait laboratories.