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THE EFFECT OF A STABILIZATION PERIOD ON GAIT PARAMETERS WHILE DUAL TASKING

Abstract

Sarah-Ashby Calhoun, Hannah Thigpen, Rebecca R. Rogers, Mallory R. Marshall, Justin Moody. Samford University, Birmingham, AL.

BACKGROUND: Most studies on dual tasking suggest an impairment in the motor task will occur while the performance of the cognitive task is maintained; however, most studies do not provide a stabilization period for the motor task before introducing the cognitive task. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a stabilization period on gait parameters while dual tasking. METHODS: College age females (21.3±0.5 yrs, 138.7±17.9 lbs, 66.8±2.6 in) were recruited into the study. The study was approved by the university Institutional Review Board. All participants completed a health history and informed consent. Participants visited our laboratory two times and completed three tests: a gait stabilization assessment on a treadmill using the OptoGait, a treadmill walking test where participants immediately had to perform a cognitive task on their cell phones without a stabilization period, and a treadmill walking test where participants were allowed a gait stabilization period before starting the cell phone task. The duration of the stabilization period was obtained during the gait stabilization assessment and gait was considered stabilized at the time point where stride-to-stride variability became < 4% for a minimum of three strides. RESULTS: Step length (p=0.59), stride length (p=0.75), step time (p=0.29), and gait cycle (p=0.97) were not significantly different between the tests where a stabilization period was allowed and the test where there was no stabilization period. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a stabilization period before a dual task test does not affect gait parameters while treadmill walking. These findings could implications when developing methodology for dual tasking studies in the future.

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