Impact of Attentional Loading and Task Constraints on Postural Control of Healthy Older Adults

Abstract

Postural control is attention demanding, and it may be jeopardized when a secondary cognitive task is involved, particularly for older adults. The magnitude of this interference depends on different individual (perceptuo-motor status), task (single vs. dual tasking), and environmental constraints (support surface). The purpose of this research was to examine if older adults may be affected by various types of secondary cognitive tasks, while maintaining quiet standing on different support surfaces. In line with conceptual models, the results indicated that postural control of older adults was compromised when they were required to dual-task, especially when the support surface was challenging. This was a robust finding across all the measures of COP. In regards to the degree to which different attentional tasks affected postural control, the results remained equivocal. From a practical standpoint, the results indicated that older adults should exhibit caution when simultaneously performing a balance and a cognitive task involved particularly when the surface is unsteady.