Skip to main content
Erschienen in: European Journal of Applied Physiology 5/2016

01.05.2016 | Original Article

Age differences in reactive strategies and execution time during choice stepping with visual interference

verfasst von: Kazuki Uemura, Midori Haruta, Yasushi Uchiyama

Erschienen in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Ausgabe 5/2016

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to explore the effects of visual interference from a flanker task on a reactive strategy and execution speed of choice stepping among young and older adults.

Methods

Twenty-two healthy young (21.9 ± 1.4 years) and 21 older participants (72.6 ± 4.9 years) were instructed to execute forward stepping as quickly and accurately as possible on the side indicated by a central arrow (←left vs. right→) of a visual cue during a neutral condition. During a flanker condition, participants were additionally required to ignore flanker arrows on each side of the central arrow (→→→→→ congruent or incongruent →→←→→). Errors in the direction of the initial weight transfer [anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) errors], step execution time, and divided phases (reaction, APA, and swing phases) were measured from the data of vertical force.

Results

Incongruence had larger effects on step execution times and APA phase in older adults than in young adults, while incongruence had smaller effects on reaction phase in older adults than in young adults. Step execution times were prolonged for trials with APA errors relative to trials without those in both groups. Only older adults showed that step execution times during trials with APA errors increased prominently in the incongruent condition as compared to the other conditions.

Conclusion

Older adults might have a tendency to make hastier judgments, and might be vulnerable to potential motor program errors caused by an interference effect. Composite measurement of inhibition and stepping in a functional context may increase discriminative ability for age-related deficits in postural control.
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Cohen RG, Nutt JG, Horak FB (2011) Errors in postural preparation lead to increased choice reaction times for step initiation in older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. doi:10.1093/gerona/glr054 Cohen RG, Nutt JG, Horak FB (2011) Errors in postural preparation lead to increased choice reaction times for step initiation in older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. doi:10.​1093/​gerona/​glr054
Zurück zum Zitat Fleiss J (1986) The design and analysis of clinical experiments. Wiley, New York Fleiss J (1986) The design and analysis of clinical experiments. Wiley, New York
Zurück zum Zitat Folstein MF, Folstein SE, McHugh PR (1975) Mini-Mental State. A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res 12(3):189–198 (0022-3956(75)90026-6) CrossRefPubMed Folstein MF, Folstein SE, McHugh PR (1975) Mini-Mental State. A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res 12(3):189–198 (0022-3956(75)90026-6) CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Granacher U, Bridenbaugh SA, Muehlbauer T, Wehrle A, Kressig RW (2011) Age-related effects on postural control under multi-task conditions. Gerontology 57(3):247–255. doi:10.1159/000322196 (000322196) CrossRefPubMed Granacher U, Bridenbaugh SA, Muehlbauer T, Wehrle A, Kressig RW (2011) Age-related effects on postural control under multi-task conditions. Gerontology 57(3):247–255. doi:10.​1159/​000322196 (000322196) CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Greeves AL, Cole BL, Jacobs RJ (1987) Reliability and validity of simple photographic plate tests of contrast sensitivity. Am J Optom Physiol Opt 64(11):832–841CrossRefPubMed Greeves AL, Cole BL, Jacobs RJ (1987) Reliability and validity of simple photographic plate tests of contrast sensitivity. Am J Optom Physiol Opt 64(11):832–841CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Hasher L, Stoltzfus ER, Zacks RT, Rypma B (1991) Age and inhibition. J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn 17(1):163–169CrossRefPubMed Hasher L, Stoltzfus ER, Zacks RT, Rypma B (1991) Age and inhibition. J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn 17(1):163–169CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Herman T, Mirelman A, Giladi N, Schweiger A, Hausdorff JM (2010) Executive control deficits as a prodrome to falls in healthy older adults: a prospective study linking thinking, walking, and falling. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 65(10):1086–1092. doi:10.1093/gerona/glq077 (glq077) CrossRefPubMed Herman T, Mirelman A, Giladi N, Schweiger A, Hausdorff JM (2010) Executive control deficits as a prodrome to falls in healthy older adults: a prospective study linking thinking, walking, and falling. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 65(10):1086–1092. doi:10.​1093/​gerona/​glq077 (glq077) CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Hernandez ME, Ashton-Miller JA, Alexander NB (2012) Age-related changes in speed and accuracy during rapid targeted center of pressure movements near the posterior limit of the base of support. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 27(9):910–916. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2012.06.007 (S0268-0033(12)00132-5) CrossRef Hernandez ME, Ashton-Miller JA, Alexander NB (2012) Age-related changes in speed and accuracy during rapid targeted center of pressure movements near the posterior limit of the base of support. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 27(9):910–916. doi:10.​1016/​j.​clinbiomech.​2012.​06.​007 (S0268-0033(12)00132-5) CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Hirsch CH, Fried LP, Harris T, Fitzpatrick A, Enright P, Schulz R (1997) Correlates of performance-based measures of muscle function in the elderly: the Cardiovascular Health Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 52(4):M192–M200CrossRefPubMed Hirsch CH, Fried LP, Harris T, Fitzpatrick A, Enright P, Schulz R (1997) Correlates of performance-based measures of muscle function in the elderly: the Cardiovascular Health Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 52(4):M192–M200CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Horn NR, Dolan M, Elliott R, Deakin JF, Woodruff PW (2003) Response inhibition and impulsivity: an fMRI study. Neuropsychologia 41(14):1959–1966 (S0028393203000770) CrossRefPubMed Horn NR, Dolan M, Elliott R, Deakin JF, Woodruff PW (2003) Response inhibition and impulsivity: an fMRI study. Neuropsychologia 41(14):1959–1966 (S0028393203000770) CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Kramer AF, Humphrey DG, Larish JF, Logan GD, Strayer DL (1994) Aging and inhibition: beyond a unitary view of inhibitory processing in attention. Psychol Aging 9(4):491–512CrossRefPubMed Kramer AF, Humphrey DG, Larish JF, Logan GD, Strayer DL (1994) Aging and inhibition: beyond a unitary view of inhibitory processing in attention. Psychol Aging 9(4):491–512CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Lord SR, Fitzpatrick RC (2001) Choice stepping reaction time: a composite measure of falls risk in older people. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 56(10):M627–M632CrossRefPubMed Lord SR, Fitzpatrick RC (2001) Choice stepping reaction time: a composite measure of falls risk in older people. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 56(10):M627–M632CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Lord SR, Menz HB, Tiedemann A (2003) A physiological profile approach to falls risk assessment and prevention. Phys Ther 83(3):237–252PubMed Lord SR, Menz HB, Tiedemann A (2003) A physiological profile approach to falls risk assessment and prevention. Phys Ther 83(3):237–252PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Lu X, Siu KC, Fu SN, Hui-Chan CW, Tsang WW (2013) Tai Chi practitioners have better postural control and selective attention in stepping down with and without a concurrent auditory response task. Eur J Appl Physiol 113(8):1939–1945. doi:10.1007/s00421-013-2624-9 CrossRefPubMed Lu X, Siu KC, Fu SN, Hui-Chan CW, Tsang WW (2013) Tai Chi practitioners have better postural control and selective attention in stepping down with and without a concurrent auditory response task. Eur J Appl Physiol 113(8):1939–1945. doi:10.​1007/​s00421-013-2624-9 CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Martin KL, Blizzard L, Wood AG, Srikanth V, Thomson R, Sanders LM, Callisaya ML (2013) Cognitive function, gait, and gait variability in older people: a population-based study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 68(6):726–732. doi:10.1093/gerona/gls224 (gls224) CrossRefPubMed Martin KL, Blizzard L, Wood AG, Srikanth V, Thomson R, Sanders LM, Callisaya ML (2013) Cognitive function, gait, and gait variability in older people: a population-based study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 68(6):726–732. doi:10.​1093/​gerona/​gls224 (gls224) CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat McGough EL, Kelly VE, Logsdon RG, McCurry SM, Cochrane BB, Engel JM, Teri L (2011) Associations between physical performance and executive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: gait speed and the timed “Up & Go” Test. Phys Ther. doi:10.2522/ptj.20100372 PubMedPubMedCentral McGough EL, Kelly VE, Logsdon RG, McCurry SM, Cochrane BB, Engel JM, Teri L (2011) Associations between physical performance and executive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: gait speed and the timed “Up & Go” Test. Phys Ther. doi:10.​2522/​ptj.​20100372 PubMedPubMedCentral
Zurück zum Zitat Melzer I, Liebermann DG, Krasovsky T, Oddsson LI (2010) Cognitive load affects lower limb force-time relations during voluntary rapid stepping in healthy old and young adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 65(4):400–406. doi:10.1093/gerona/glp185 (glp185) CrossRefPubMed Melzer I, Liebermann DG, Krasovsky T, Oddsson LI (2010) Cognitive load affects lower limb force-time relations during voluntary rapid stepping in healthy old and young adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 65(4):400–406. doi:10.​1093/​gerona/​glp185 (glp185) CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Pijnappels M, Delbaere K, Sturnieks DL, Lord SR (2010) The association between choice stepping reaction time and falls in older adults—a path analysis model. Age Ageing 39(1):99–104. doi:10.1093/ageing/afp200 (afp200) CrossRefPubMed Pijnappels M, Delbaere K, Sturnieks DL, Lord SR (2010) The association between choice stepping reaction time and falls in older adults—a path analysis model. Age Ageing 39(1):99–104. doi:10.​1093/​ageing/​afp200 (afp200) CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Podsiadlo D, Richardson S (1991) The timed “Up & Go”: a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc 39(2):142–148CrossRefPubMed Podsiadlo D, Richardson S (1991) The timed “Up & Go”: a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc 39(2):142–148CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Roggeveen AB, Prime DJ, Ward LM (2007) Lateralized readiness potentials reveal motor slowing in the aging brain. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 62(2):P78–P84 (62/2/P78) CrossRefPubMed Roggeveen AB, Prime DJ, Ward LM (2007) Lateralized readiness potentials reveal motor slowing in the aging brain. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 62(2):P78–P84 (62/2/P78) CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Salthouse TA (2000) Aging and measures of processing speed. Biol Psychol 54(1–3):35–54 (S0301051100000521) CrossRefPubMed Salthouse TA (2000) Aging and measures of processing speed. Biol Psychol 54(1–3):35–54 (S0301051100000521) CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat St George RJ, Fitzpatrick RC, Rogers MW, Lord SR (2007) Choice stepping response and transfer times: effects of age, fall risk, and secondary tasks. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 62(5):537–542 (62/5/537) CrossRefPubMed St George RJ, Fitzpatrick RC, Rogers MW, Lord SR (2007) Choice stepping response and transfer times: effects of age, fall risk, and secondary tasks. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 62(5):537–542 (62/5/537) CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Tsang WW, Lam NK, Lau KN, Leung HC, Tsang CM, Lu X (2013) The effects of aging on postural control and selective attention when stepping down while performing a concurrent auditory response task. Eur J Appl Physiol 113(12):3021–3026. doi:10.1007/s00421-013-2740-6 CrossRefPubMed Tsang WW, Lam NK, Lau KN, Leung HC, Tsang CM, Lu X (2013) The effects of aging on postural control and selective attention when stepping down while performing a concurrent auditory response task. Eur J Appl Physiol 113(12):3021–3026. doi:10.​1007/​s00421-013-2740-6 CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat van Loo MA, Moseley AM, Bosman JM, de Bie RA, Hassett L (2004) Test-re-test reliability of walking speed, step length and step width measurement after traumatic brain injury: a pilot study. Brain Inj 18(10):1041–1048. doi:10.1080/02699050410001672314 (C1C728F8TLXGB148) CrossRefPubMed van Loo MA, Moseley AM, Bosman JM, de Bie RA, Hassett L (2004) Test-re-test reliability of walking speed, step length and step width measurement after traumatic brain injury: a pilot study. Brain Inj 18(10):1041–1048. doi:10.​1080/​0269905041000167​2314 (C1C728F8TLXGB148) CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Wechsler D (1997) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—III. The Psychological Corporation, San Antonio Wechsler D (1997) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—III. The Psychological Corporation, San Antonio
Metadaten
Titel
Age differences in reactive strategies and execution time during choice stepping with visual interference
verfasst von
Kazuki Uemura
Midori Haruta
Yasushi Uchiyama
Publikationsdatum
01.05.2016
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in
European Journal of Applied Physiology / Ausgabe 5/2016
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Elektronische ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3221-x

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 5/2016

European Journal of Applied Physiology 5/2016 Zur Ausgabe

Neu im Fachgebiet Arbeitsmedizin

Elterliches Belastungserleben, Unaufmerksamkeits‑/Hyperaktivitätssymptome und elternberichtete ADHS bei Kindern und Jugendlichen: Ergebnisse aus der KiGGS-Studie

Open Access ADHS Leitthema

Die Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit‑/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) ist eine der häufigsten psychischen Störungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter [ 1 ]. In Deutschland beträgt die Prävalenz einer elternberichteten ADHS-Diagnose bei Kindern und Jugendlichen 4,4 % …

Substanzkonsum und Nutzung von sozialen Medien, Computerspielen und Glücksspielen unter Auszubildenden an beruflichen Schulen

Open Access Leitthema

Die Begrenzung von Schäden durch Substanzkonsum und andere abhängige Verhaltensweisen von Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen ist ein wichtiges Anliegen der öffentlichen Gesundheit. Der Übergang von der Adoleszenz zum jungen Erwachsenenalter ist …

Berufsbelastung und Stressbewältigung von weiblichen und männlichen Auszubildenden

Leitthema

In der Öffentlichkeit wird die berufliche Ausbildung oftmals unter ökonomischen Gesichtspunkten diskutiert: Mit den geburtenstarken Jahrgängen gehen erfahrene Fachkräfte in Rente und von nachfolgenden Generationen rücken zu wenige Arbeitskräfte …

Rauschtrinken in der frühen Adoleszenz

COVID-19 Leitthema

Alkohol ist in Deutschland die mit Abstand am häufigsten konsumierte psychoaktive Substanz. Mehr als 2 Drittel aller Erwachsenen im Alter von 18 bis 64 Jahren (70,5 %) hat 2021 in den letzten 30 Tagen Alkohol konsumiert [ 1 ]. Von diesen …