The effects of dual-task on gait performance during stair ascending

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of gait patterns and muscle activations according to dual tasks during stair ascending Methods Twelve sedentary young male adults(Age: 27.0±1.8 yrs, Weight: 65.8±9.9 kg) without any lower extremity injuries participated in the study. Participants performed stair walking up 7 floors and their ascending motion on each floor was analyzed according to dual tasks. A wireless electromyography (EMG) were attached on the Rectus Femoris(RF), Biceps Femoris(BF), Gastrocnemius(GN), Tibialis Anterior(TA) muscle to calculate integrated EMG(iEMG) and co-contraction index(CI). Chest and left heel accelerometer signal were recorded by wireless accelerometer and those were used to calculate approximate entropy(ApEn) for analyzing gait pattern. All analyses were performed with SPSS 21.0 and for repeated measured ANOVA and Post-hoc was LSD Results The results of this study indicated that dual task appeared to increase their time, CI and there were a statistically significant difference in most muscle on each floors compared to the non dual tasks. Also, ApEn were a statistically significant difference in only left and right direction than non dual task. Subjects showed more irregular pattern and instability muscle activation response during dual tasks Conclusion Because there are many dangers often use of stairs in everyday life, in the future, we have to make a lot of efforts to prevent fall.