Prioritizing attention on a reaction time task improves postural control and reaction time.
PMID 24655152 · The International journal of neuroscience · 2015 · DOI 10.3109/00207454.2014.907573
Authors: Deborah A Jehu; Alyssa Desponts; Nicole Paquet; Yves Lajoie
Abstract
Flexible and appropriate allocation of attention resources is important during dual-tasking to achieve task goals while maintaining postural safety. This pilot study aimed to examine the influence of explicit prioritization of attention on the dual-task paradigm by employing two levels of difficulty for the postural tasks and reaction time (RT) tasks in healthy young adults. The task entailed standing on a force platform on two feet or on one foot, attending to posture or RT, and completing a simple or choice RT task. Participants verbally responded "top" as soon as the light cue illuminated. In general, attending to RT produced faster RTs (F(1,19) = 30.9, p < 0.001) and improved center of pressure (COP) Displacement (F(1,19) = 5.1, p < 0.05) and 95% Area Ellipse (F(1,19) = 7.1, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that prioritizing attention away from posture may be beneficial for postural performance when completing a second task.
Attention; Female; Functional Laterality; Humans; Male; Photic Stimulation; Pilot Projects; Postural Balance; Posture; Pressure; Reaction Time; Young Adult
Cite
Deborah A Jehu; Alyssa Desponts; Nicole Paquet; Yves Lajoie. Prioritizing attention on a reaction time task improves postural control and reaction time. The International journal of neuroscience (2015). PMID 24655152. DOI 10.3109/00207454.2014.907573.