Straat, E.B. (2015) Gap acceptance maneuvers of older adults in an iPad crossing task. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
Full text available on request.Abstract
In order to avoid collisions with moving objects in crossing situations, people have to select safe gaps and adjust their maneuvers to the movement of these objects. Simulator based research showed that old adults select more unsafe gaps and make more collisions than younger participants, especially when the speed of the approaching objects is high. In this study, gap acceptance maneuvers of middle old (age = 64-72, n = 18) and older old (age = 76-91, n = 9) adults were investigated with a crossing task on the iPad in which a balloon had to be moved through a line of slow or fast approaching arrows with increasing gaps. Standardized neuropsychological tests were used to measure specific cognitive abilities (e.g. inhibition, shifting and work pace), to give a better understanding of the relation between age-related cognitive aspects and gap choices. It was observed that the number of collisions was independent of the age group and the velocity of the approaching arrows. The results also showed that participants, regardless of age, chose smaller gaps, crossed faster and had a smaller safety margin when objects approached faster. Furthermore, older old adults chose bigger gaps and had larger safety margins than middle old adults, but there was no significant difference in the amount of critical gaps. The results of the regression analysis between the critical gaps and the neuropsychological tests showed a negative relation with inhibition, which is likely due to more cautiousness of participants in both the Stroop color-word test and the iPad crossing task. In conclusion, the safest crossing maneuvers are found when the velocity of the objects is low, and apart from the safety margin, the older old adults take their action capabilities into account, to the same extent as middle old adults. The precise relation between inhibition or cautiousness and this crossing task needs to be further investigated.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Caljouw, dr. S.R. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 03 May 2022 10:33 |
| Last Modified: | 03 May 2022 10:33 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3195 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |