Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effects of aging on postural control and selective attention when stepping down while performing a concurrent auditory response task

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the effects of aging on postural control and cognitive performance in single- and dual-tasking.

Methods

A cross-sectional comparative design was conducted in a university motion analysis laboratory. Young adults (n = 30; age 21.9 ± 2.4 years) and older adults (n = 30; age 71.9 ± 6.4 years) were recruited. Postural control after stepping down was measured with and without performing a concurrent auditory response task. Measurement included: (1) reaction time and (2) error rate in performing the cognitive task; (3) total sway path and (4) total sway area after stepping down.

Results

Our findings showed that the older adults had significantly longer reaction times and higher error rates than the younger subjects in both the single-tasking and dual-tasking conditions. The older adults had significantly longer reaction times and higher error rates when dual-tasking compared with single-tasking, but the younger adults did not. The older adults demonstrated significantly less total sway path, but larger total sway area in single-leg stance after stepping down than the young adults. The older adults showed no significant change in total sway path and area between the dual-tasking and when compared with single-tasking conditions, while the younger adults showed significant decreases in sway.

Conclusion

Older adults prioritize postural control by sacrificing cognitive performance when faced with dual-tasking.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bench CJ, Frith CD, Grasby PM, Friston KJ, Paulesu E, Frackowiak RS, Dolan RJ (1993) Investigations of the functional anatomy of attention using the Stroop test. Neuropsychologia 31(9):907–922

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clark DJ, Fielding RA (2012) Neuromuscular contributions to age-related weakness. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 67(1):41–47

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Du Pasquier RA, Blanc Y, Sinnreich M, Landis T, Burkhard P, Vingerhoets FJ (2003) The effect of aging on postural stability: a cross sectional and longitudinal study. Neurophysiol Clin 33(5):213–218

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hamel KA, Cavanagh PR (2004) Stair performance in people aged 75 and older. J Am Geriatr Soc 52:563–567

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hartley AA, Little DM (1999) Age-related differences and similarities in dual-task interference. J Exp Psychol Gen 128:416–449

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hortobagyi T, DeVita P (2000) Muscle pre- and co-activity during downward stepping are associated with leg stiffness in aging. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 10(2):117–126

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hurley MV, Rees J, Newham DJ (1998) Quadriceps function, proprioceptive acuity and functional performance in healthy young, middle-aged and elderly subjects. Age Ageing 27(1):55–62

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huxhold O, Li SC, Schmiedek F, Lindenberger U (2006) Dual-tasking postural control: aging and the effects of cognitive demand in conjunction with focus of attention. Brain Res Bull 69(3):294–305

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lacour M, Bernard-Demanze L, Dumitrescu M (2008) Posture control, aging, and attention resources: models and posture analysis methods. Neurophysiol Clin 38(6):411–421

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li F, Harmer P, Fisher KJ, McAuley E, Chaumeton N, Eckstrom E, Wilson NL (2005) Tai chi and fall reductions in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 60(2):187–194

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mackey DC, Robinovitch SN (2006) Mechanisms underlying age-related differences in ability to recover balance with the ankle strategy. Gait Posture 23(1):59–68 (epub 12 Jan 2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ojha HA, Kern RW, Lin CH, Winstein CJ (2009) Age affects the attentional demands of stair ambulation: evidence from a dual-task approach. Phys Ther 89(10):1080–1088

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ozcan A, Donat H, Gelecek N, Ozdirenc M, Karadibak D (2005) The relationship between risk factors for falling and the quality of life in older adults. BMC Public Health 5:90

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rankin JK, Woollacott MH, Shumway-Cook A, Brown LA (2000) Cognitive influence on postural stability: a neuromuscular analysis in young and older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 55(3):M112–M119

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rubenstein LZ (2006) Falls in older people: epidemiology, risk factors and strategies for prevention. Age Ageing 35(suppl 2):ii37–ii41

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott M (2000) Attentional demands and postural control: the effect of sensory context. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 55(1):M10–M16

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott M, Kerns KA, Baldwin M (1997) The effects of two types of cognitive tasks on postural stability in older adults with and without a history of falls. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 52(4):M232–M240

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Startzell JK, Owens DA, Mulfinger LM, Cavanagh PR (2000) Stair negotiation in older people: a review. J Am Geriatr Soc 48:567–580

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tang PF, Woollacott MH (1998) Inefficient postural responses to unexpected slips during walking in older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 53(6):M471–M480

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Teasdale N, Simoneau M (2001) Attentional demands for postural control: the effects of aging and sensory reintegration. Gait Posture 14(3):203–210

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thelen DG, Schultz AB, Alexander NB, Ashton-Miller JA (1996) Effects of age on rapid ankle torque development. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 51(5):M226–M232

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tombaugh TN, McIntyre NJ (1992) The mini-mental state examination: a comprehensive review. J Am Geriatr Soc 40(9):922–935

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsang WW, Hui-Chan CW (2005) Comparison of muscle torque, balance, and confidence in older tai chi and healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 37(2):280–289

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vellas BJ, Wayne SJ, Romero LJ, Baumgartner RN, Garry PJ (1997) Fear of falling and restriction of mobility in elderly fallers. Age Ageing 26:189–193

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Verhaeghen P, Steitz DW, Sliwinski MJ, Cerella J (2003) Aging and dual-task performance: a meta-analysis. Psychol Aging 18(3):443–460

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yardley L, Gardner M, Bronstein A, Davies R, Buckwell D, Luxon L (2001) Interference between postural control and mental task performance in patients with vestibular disorder and healthy controls. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 71(1):48–52

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the subjects for their participation. Thanks are also due to Mr. Bill Purves for his English editorial advice. There was no financial support of this project.

Conflict of interest

No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the research findings reported here has conferred or will confer a benefit on the authors or on any organization with which the authors are associated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

    William W. N. Tsang, Nazca K. Y. Lam, Kit N. L. Lau, Harry C. H. Leung, Crystal M. S. Tsang & Xi Lu

Authors
  1. William W. N. Tsang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nazca K. Y. Lam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kit N. L. Lau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Harry C. H. Leung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Crystal M. S. Tsang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xi Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to William W. N. Tsang.

Additional information

Communicated by Fausto Baldissera.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tsang, W.W.N., Lam, N.K.Y., Lau, K.N.L. et al. The effects of aging on postural control and selective attention when stepping down while performing a concurrent auditory response task. Eur J Appl Physiol 113, 3021–3026 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2740-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2740-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation