Vervoort, D. (Danique) (2016) Effect of cognitive load on gait adaptation of young and older adults during split-belt walking. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
Full text available on request.Abstract
The effect of cognitive load in older adults on walking performance has been intensively studied, but little is known about the effect of cognitive load on gait adaptation abilities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the cognitive involvement in gait adaptation abilities of both young and older adults and their respective gait adaptation strategies during split-belt walking. Fifteen older adults (67.9±6.2 years) and fourteen young adults (21.6±2.1 years) participated in the study. Participants completed a split-belt paradigm with and without an additional cognitive task. Outcome measures were divided into three categories: intralimb, interlimb and adaptation parameters. Effects of age were found for intralimb parameters. Differences in adaptation strategies were also found, as young adults adapted the percentage swing time during the adaptation phases, while older adults adapted swing speed. Effects of cognitive involvement were found for interlimb parameters, with an increase in double support time and step length of the slow leg and more symmetry in step length. With the addition of a cognitive task people were less able to adapt to split-belt walking. Furthermore, young adults had a higher cognitive task performance during the early adaptation to split-belt walking than older adults. These results indicate that older adults prioritize the gait adaptation to split-belt walking. The decreased gait adaptability in older adults showed a natural age-related change in gait. The addition of cognitive load also decreased the ability to adapt gait.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Lamoth, dr. C.J.C. and Otter, dr. A.R. den and Hortobágyi, prof. dr. T. and Vuillerme, dr. N. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 04 May 2022 07:37 |
| Last Modified: | 04 May 2022 07:37 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3201 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |