@article{ref1,
title="Age-associated effects of a concurrent cognitive task on gait speed and stability during narrow-base walking",
journal="Journals of gerontology. Series A: Biological sciences and medical sciences",
year="2008",
author="Price, R. and Schrager, Matthew A. and Kelly, Valerie E. and Shumway-Cook, Anne and Ferrucci, Luigi",
volume="63",
number="12",
pages="1329-1334",
abstract="BACKGROUND: In older adults, changes in speed and stability during walking are associated with impaired balance and increased fall risk. Narrow-base walking requires increased frontal plane stability and can be used to assess postural control while walking. Performance of a concurrent cognitive task (dual task) may further increase the complexity of walking, potentially allowing identification of individuals with instability that is not detected under single-task conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine age-associated effects of a cognitive task on speed and frontal plane stability during narrow-base walking. METHODS: Thirty-four healthy adults participated, categorized by age:<65, 65-74, and>/=75 years. Participants walked at a comfortable pace within a narrow path under both single- and dual-task conditions. We examined spatiotemporal variables and frontal plane center of mass (CoM) parameters using a 13-segment biomechanical model. RESULTS: Increasing age (p<.001) and the performance of a concurrent cognitive task (p<.001) were both associated with decreased speed, with no interaction between these factors. Frontal plane CoM displacement and velocity increased with increasing age (both p<.001), but dual-task performance had no effect on these variables (both p>.450). CONCLUSIONS: Age-associated changes in both speed and stability are observed during narrow-base walking. Among this sample of healthy older adults, the addition of a concurrent cognitive task resulted in reduced speed, with no effect on frontal plane stability. Further research is needed to determine if dual-task, narrow-base walking is a sensitive and specific approach to identifying older adults at risk for falls.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1079-5006",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}