Factors influencing dynamic prioritization during dual-task walking in healthy young adults

Appropriate prioritization during dual-task walking is necessary to achieve task goals and maintain walking stability. We examined the effects of increased walking task difficulty on dual-task walking prioritization in healthy young adults. Walking under simple usual-base conditions was similar between equal-focus and cognitive-focus instructions, but these differed from walking-focus instructions, consistent with cognitive task prioritization. In contrast, narrow-base walking was similar between equal-focus and walking-focus instructions, but these differed from cognitive-focus instructions. This shift in prioritization with increasing walking task difficulty suggests that prioritization is dynamic and flexible.

► We assessed the effect of complex walking on dual-task performance in young adults.
► Walking and the cognitive task were compared during usual- and narrow-base walking.
► Usual-base walking performance was consistent with cognitive task prioritization.
► Narrow-base walking performance was consistent with walking prioritization.
► Performance changes suggest that prioritization is dynamic and flexible.