Investigating practice strategies to improve dual-task performance during gait

步态最初被认为是一种几乎没有认知输入的自动运动任务，直到最近几十年，我们才意识到认知功能对运动控制的影响。双任务研究范式旨在阐明认知如何影响姿势，地上行走以及有障碍的行走。认知功能在运动控制中的作用不再受到质疑，事实上，一些研究人员认为双重任务性能的训练可能有助于某些人群，例如有跌倒风险的老年人。然而，虽然运动性能的实践的好处是公认的最佳训练策略，同时运动和认知任务尚未确定。什么是有效的练习策略，以提高运动和认知任务的同时表现？个人应该单独或同时练习组成任务，以尽量减少双重任务的干扰？不同的理论观点提出了相互矛盾的答案。不幸的是，文献上的训练方法，以提高双任务的性能是有限的，主要是姿势的研究或临床研究，使用多个训练任务，旨在反映功能的日常activity.The拟议的研究计划将探讨最有效的实践策略，以提高并发性能的认知和运动任务。从理论的角度来看，检查单任务和双任务的实践策略，将允许测试的竞争理论的注意力，因为它们涉及到步态。该研究计划还将调查练习的最佳次数和练习效果的持续时间，确定练习方法对自适应步态任务（静态和动态避障）的转移，并最终探索新的基于视频的练习方式。

At one time gait was primarily thought of as an automatic motor task with little cognitive input, it is only in the last few decades that we have come to realize the impact of cognitive function on locomotor control. Dual-task research paradigms have been designed to elucidate how cognition influences posture, overground walking as well as obstructed walking. The role of cognitive function in locomotor control is no longer questioned and in fact, some researchers have suggested that training for dual-task performance may assist some populations, e.g. older adults at risk of falling. However, while the benefits of practice for motor performance are well established optimal training strategies for concurrent motor and cognitive tasks have yet to be determined. What is an effective practice strategy to improve concurrent performance of a locomotor and cognitive task? Should individuals practice component tasks separately or simultaneously to minimize dual-task interference? Different theoretical perspectives suggest conflicting answers. Unfortunately, the literature on training methods for improving dual-task performance is limited to primarily postural studies or clinical studies that use multiple training tasks designed to reflect functional everyday activities.The proposed research program will explore the most effective practice strategies to improve concurrent performance of a cognitive and locomotor tasks. From a theoretical perspective, examination of single-task and dual-task practice strategies will permit a test of competing theories of attention as they relate to gait. This research program will also investigate the optimal number of practice sessions and duration of practice effects, determine transference of practice approaches to an adaptive gait task (static and dynamic obstacle avoidance) and finally explore novel video-based practice modalities.