Dual-task Interference: Swimming and Verbal Free Recall

Abstract

Dual-task interference studies have been performed using a variety of different tasks, however, there has been limited research examining dual-tasks interference where one of the tasks is an ecologically realistic physically demanding task. Swimming is a task that involves three spatial axes, similar to flying, but is also physically demanding for the entire body as all four limbs are used to propel the swimmer through the water. A dual-task case study was conducted to compare repeated performance in a swimming task, a verbal free recall task and a dual-task where swimming and free recall were combined. While previous research has examined running and climbing when combined with the verbal free recall task, these studies were one-off studies, whereas the present study was conducted longitudinally with repeated sessions. The current study was performed in a single individual across several weeks to investigate the longitudinal change of dual-task interference.