Dual-task effects of spontaneous speech and executive function on gait in aging: Exaggerated effects in slow walkers

Abstract This study compared the effects of spontaneous speech and executive function on gait and investigated the effects of single-task gait speed on dual-task costs. Twenty-one older adults (74.7 years, SD 5.9) and 23 younger adults (22 years, SD 1.2) walked for 60 s while performing an auditory...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Gait & posture 2011-02, Vol.33 (2), p.233-237
Main Authors: Plummer-D’Amato, Prudence, Altmann, Lori J.P, Reilly, Kevin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aging
Aging - physiology
Cognition
Dual-task
Female
Gait
Gait - physiology
Humans
Male
Older adult
Orthopedics
Speech - physiology
Walking - physiology
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract This study compared the effects of spontaneous speech and executive function on gait and investigated the effects of single-task gait speed on dual-task costs. Twenty-one older adults (74.7 years, SD 5.9) and 23 younger adults (22 years, SD 1.2) walked for 60 s while performing an auditory Stroop task and a spontaneous speech task; they also performed each task in isolation. Walking while talking significantly reduced gait speed in both groups; however, only older adults experienced significant cognitive-motor interference during the Stroop task. Stride duration variability and gait symmetry were also affected by the speech task in older but not younger adults. Dual-task costs on gait speed were greater in slow-walking older adults than fast walkers. These results demonstrate that spontaneous speech is a highly demanding task that has a profound impact on gait in older adults, especially those with gait speed
ISSN:0966-6362
1879-2219
DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2010.11.011