| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4056520 | Gait & Posture | 2013 | 4 Pages |
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.
