Citation

Seymour KM, Higginson CI, DeGoede KM, Bifano MK, Orr R, Higginson JS. J. Mot. Behav. 2016; 48(6): 535-541.

Affiliation

Department of Mechanical Engineering , University of Delaware , Newark , Delaware.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00222895.2016.1152226

PMID

27340890

Abstract

Gait speed is typically reduced when individuals simultaneously perform other tasks. However, the impact of dual tasking on kinetic and kinematic gait parameters is unclear because these vary with gait speed. The objective of this study was to identify whether dual tasking impacts gait in healthy adults when speed is constant. Twenty-two healthy adults dialed a cell phone during treadmill walking at a self-selected speed while kinetic, kinematic, and spatial parameters were recorded.

RESULTS indicated that dual tasking did not impact phone dialing speed, but increased stride width, peak knee flexion during stance, and peak plantarflexion, and decreased knee and ankle range of motion. Dual tasking appears to influence kinematic gait variables in a manner consistent with promotion of stability.

Language: en