Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Factors influencing gait performance in older adults in a dual-task paradigm

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
GeroScience Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cognitive interference through a dual-task (DT) paradigm on gait parameters by sex or other predictive variables, such as physical fitness, health status, and cognition. A total of 125 older adults joined in this study (age, 72.42 ± 5.56 years old; 28 men and 97 women). The DT paradigm was evaluated through Comfortable Linear Gait (CLG) and Complex Gait Test (CGT). The gait parameters between single task (ST) vs. DT condition in men showed a significant reduction in speed (p < 0.001), cadence (p < 0.001), and step length (p = 0.049) and increased time to execute the CGT (p < 0.001), while women showed a decreased speed (p = 0.014), cadence (p < 0.001), and double support coefficient variation (CV) (p = 0.024) and increased single support time (p < 0.001) and CV step length (p < 0.05). In addition, women increased CGT time (p < 0.001). Furthermore, correlations between DT cost (DTC) cadence vs. Physical Activity for Elderly questionnaire (PASE) (r =  − 0.399; p = 0.008), DTC single support vs. 30 s Sit to Stand Test (r = − 0.356; 0.016), DTC single support vs. Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test-Learning curve (r =  − 0.335; p = 0.023), DTC double support vs. 30 s Sit to Stand Test (r =  − 0.590; p < 0.001), DTC CV step length vs. 30 s Sit to Stand (r =  − 0.545; p = 0.003), and DTC CGT vs. 30 s Sit to Stand Test (r =  − 0.377; p = 0.048) were found. The results of our study indicate that the gait parameters within the DT condition decreased speed and cadence, while increasing CV step length and CGT time, causing slower gait with shortened steps in men and women.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

All data can be provided upon prior request to the authors.

References

  1. Kritsilis M, Rizou S, Koutsoudaki P, Evangelou K, Gorgoulis V, Papadopoulos D. Ageing, cellular senescence and neurodegenerative disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(10):2397. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJMS19102937.

  2. Parra-Rizo M, Vásquez-Gómez J, Álvarez C, Diaz-Martínez X, Troncoso C, Leiva-Ordoñez A, Zapata-Lamana R, Cigarroa I. predictors of the Level of Physical Activity in Physically Active Older People. Behav Sci. 2022;12:331. https://doi.org/10.3390/BS12090331.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Buchman A, Wang T, Yu L, Leurgans S, Schneider J, Bennett D. Brain pathologies are associated with both the rate and variability of declining motor function in older adults. Acta Neuropathol. 2020;140:587–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/S00401-020-02212-Z.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Bherer L, Erickson K, Liu-Ambrose T. A review of the effects of physical activity and exercise on cognitive and brain functions in older adults. J Aging Res. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/657508.

  5. Guo C, Zhou Q, Zhang D, Qin P, Li Q, Tian G, Liu D, Chen X, Liu L, Liu F, et al. Association of total sedentary behaviour and television viewing with risk of overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension: a dose–response meta-analysis. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2020;22:79–90. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.13867.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Beeri M, Leurgans S, Bennett D, Barnes L, Buchman A. Diverse motor performances are related to incident cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults. Front Aging Neurosci. 2021;13:717139. https://doi.org/10.3389/FNAGI.2021.717139/FULL.

  7. Beauchet O, Annweiler C, Dubost V, Allali G, Kressig RW, Bridenbaugh S, Berrut G, Assal F, Herrmann FR. Stops walking when talking: a predictor of falls in older adults? Eur J Neurol. 2009;16:786–95. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1468-1331.2009.02612.X.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Hillel I, Gazit E, Nieuwboer A, Avanzino L, Rochester L, Cereatti A, Croce U, Rikkert M, Bloem B, Pelosin E, et al. Is every-day walking in older adults more analogous to dual-task walking or to usual walking? Elucidating the gaps between gait performance in the lab and during 24/7 monitoring. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act. 2019;16:6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-019-0214-5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Klotzbier TJ, Schott N. Cognitive-motor interference during walking in older adults with probable mild cognitive impairment. Front Aging Neurosci. 2017;9:350. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2017.00350.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. García-Pinillos F, Cozar-Barba M, Munoz-Jimenez M, Soto-Hermoso V, Latorre-Roman P. Gait speed in older people: an easy test for detecting cognitive impairment, functional independence, and health state. Psychogeriatrics. 2016;16:165–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/PSYG.12133.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Párraga-Montilla JA, Aibar-Almazán A, Cabrera-Linares JC, Lozano-Aguilera E, Huete VS, Arrieta MDE, et al. A randomized controlled trial protocol to test the efficacy of a dual-task multicomponent exercise program vs. a simple program on cognitive and fitness performance in elderly people. Int J Environ Res Pub Health 2021;18(12):6507. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126507.

  12. Latorre-Román P, Muñoz Jiménez M, Salas Sánchez J, Consuegra González P, Moreno Del Castillo R, Herrador Sánchez J, López Ivanco M, Linares Jiménez C, Navas Morales J, Párraga Montilla J. Complex gait is related to cognitive functioning in older people: a cross-sectional study providing an innovative test. Gerontology. 2020;66:401–8. https://doi.org/10.1159/000508245.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Murman D. The Impact of Age on Cognition. Semin Hear. 2015;36:111–21. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1555115.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Nieborowska V, Lau S, Campos J, Pichora-Fuller M, Novak A, Li KZH. Effects of age on dual-task walking while listening. J Mot Behav. 2018;51(4):416–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222895.2018.1498318.

  15. Dorfman M, Herman T, Brozgol M, Shema S, Weiss A, Hausdorff J, Mirelman A. Dual-task training on a treadmill to improve gait and cognitive function in elderly idiopathic fallers. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2014;38:246–53. https://doi.org/10.1097/NPT.0000000000000057.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. McIsaac TL, Lamber EM, Muratori L. Building a framework for a dual task taxonomy. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/591475.

  17. Nijboer M, Borst J, van Rijn H, Taatgen N. Single-task FMRI overlap predicts concurrent multitasking interference. Neuroimage. 2014;100:60–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.05.082.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Rabaglietti E, De Lorenzo A, Brustio P. The role of working memory on dual-task cost during walking performance in childhood. Front Psychol. 2019;10:1754 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01754.

  19. Plummer P, Eskes G. Measuring treatment effects on dual-task performance: a framework for research and clinical practice. Front Hum Neurosci. 2015;9:225. https://doi.org/10.3389/FNHUM.2015.00225.

  20. Kaewkaen K, Chueathaeo T, Angart S, Chomkan S, Uttama S, Chaiut W, Namkorn P, Sutalangka C, Kaewkaen P. The interactive effect of cognitive and physical dual task interventions on obstacle negotiation while walking in healthy young, and older, adults. Neurol India. 2021;69:883. https://doi.org/10.4103/0028-3886.325349.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Tomporowski P, Qazi A. Cognitive-motor dual task interference effects on declarative memory: a theory-based review. Front Psychol. 2020;11:1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Kim J, Lee G, Lee J, Kim Y. Changes in Cortical activity during preferred and fast speed walking under single- and dual-tasks in the young-old and old-old elderly. Brain Sci. 2021;11(12):1551. https://doi.org/10.3390/BRAINSCI11121551.

  23. Shao Z, Janse E, Visser K, Meyer A. What do verbal fluency tasks measure? Predictors of verbal fluency performance in older adults. Front Psychol. 2014;5:772. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2014.00772/BIBTEX.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Heinzel S, Metzger F, Ehlis A, Korell R, Alboji A, Haeussinger F, Hagen K, Maetzler W, Eschweiler G, Berg D, et al. Aging-related cortical reorganization of verbal fluency processing: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study. Neurobiol Aging. 2013;34:439–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NEUROBIOLAGING.2012.05.021.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Wollesen B, Voelcker-Rehage C, Willer J, Zech A, Mattes K. Feasibility study of dual-task-managing training to improve gait performance of older adults. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2015;27:447–55. https://doi.org/10.1007/S40520-014-0301-4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Soangra R, Lockhart T. Dual-task does not increase slip and fall risk in healthy young and older adults during walking. Appl Bionics Biomech. 2017;Article ID 1014784. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1014784.

  27. Hausdorff J, Schweiger A, Herman T, Yogev-Seligmann G, Giladi N. Dual-task decrements in gait: contributing factors among healthy older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2008;63:1335–43. https://doi.org/10.1093/GERONA/63.12.1335.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Lee K. Effects of single and dual tasks during walking on spatiotemporal gait parameters of community-dwelling older. J Phys Ther Sci. 2017;29:1874–7. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.29.1874.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Plummer P, Altmann L, Reilly K. Dual-task effects of spontaneous speech and executive function on gait in aging: exaggerated effects in slow walkers. Gait Posture. 2011;33:233–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GAITPOST.2010.11.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Hollman J, Youdas J, Lanzino D. Gender differences in dual task gait performance in older adults. Am J Mens Health. 2011;5:11–7. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988309357232.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Raffegeau T, Kellaher G, Terza M, Roper J, Altmann L, Hass C. Older Women take shorter steps during backwards walking and obstacle crossing. Exp Gerontol. 2019;122:60–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EXGER.2019.04.011.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Varela-Vásquez L, Girabent-Farrés M, Medina-Rincón A, Rierola-Fochs S, Jerez-Roig J, Minobes-Molina E. Validation of a dual-task exercise program to improve balance and gait speed in older people (DualPro): a Delphi study. PeerJ 2022;10:e13204. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13204.

  33. Goh HT, Pearce M, Vas A. Task matters: an investigation on the effect of different secondary tasks on dual-task gait in older adults. BMC Geriatr. 2021;21(1):510. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02464-8.

  34. Nohelova D, Bizovska L, Vuillerme N, Svoboda Z. Gait variability and complexity during single and dual-task walking on different surfaces in outdoor environment. Sensors (Basel). 2021;21:4792. https://doi.org/10.3390/S21144792.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Howcroft J, Lemaire ED, Kofman J, McIlroy W. Dual-task elderly gait of prospective fallers and non-fallers: a wearable-sensor based analysis. Sensors (Basel). 2018;18:1275. https://doi.org/10.3390/S18041275.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Wong P, Cheng S, Yang Y, Wang R. Effects of dual task training on dual task gait performance and cognitive function in individuals with Parkinson disease: a meta-analysis and meta-regression. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2023;104:950–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APMR.2022.11.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Ramírez F, Gutiérrez M. Dual-task gait as a predictive tool for cognitive impairment in older adults: a systematic review. Front Aging Neurosci. 2021;13:769462. https://doi.org/10.3389/FNAGI.2021.769462.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Helsinki World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. JAMA - J Am Med Assoc. 2013;310:2191–4. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.281053.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Sheikh JI, Yesavage JA. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Clin Gerontol. 1986;5:165–73. https://doi.org/10.1300/J018v05n01_09.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders : DSM-IV-TR.; 4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association: Washington DC. 2000.

  41. Zhao MG, Liang GB, Zhang HF, Zhao GF, Luo YH. Soluble galectin 9 potently enhanced regulatory T-cell formation, a pathway impaired in patients with intracranial aneurysm. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2018;45:1206–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1681.13007.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Gandhi S, Warren Salmon J, Zhao S, Lambert BL, Gore P, Conrad K. Psychometric evaluation of the 12-item short-form health survey (SF-12) in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials. Clin Ther. 2001;23:1080–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0149-2918(01)80093-X.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Washburn R, Smith K, Jette A, Janney C. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE): development and evaluation. J Clin Epidemiol. 1993;46:153–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/0895-4356(93)90053-4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Garatachea N, De Paz-Fernández JA. Cuantificación de La Actividad Física En Personas Mayores. Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol. 2005;40:47–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0211-139X(05)74822-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Schmidt, M. Rey auditory verbal learning test: A handbook. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services. 1996;(17).

  46. Alviarez-Schulze V, Cattane G, Pachón-García C, Solana-Sánchez J, Tormos J, Pascual-Leone A, et al. Validation and normative data of the spanish version of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and Associated Long-Term Forgetting Measures in middle-aged adults. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022;14:809019 https://doi.org/10.3389/FNAGI.2022.809019/FULL.

  47. Montero-Odasso M, Bergman, H, Phillips N, Wong C, Sourial N, Chertkow H. Dual-Tasking and gait in people with mild cognitive impairment. the effect of working memory. BMC Geriatr. 2009;9(1):1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-9-41.

  48. Kwon Y, Kwon J, Cho I. The difference of gait characteristic according to the variety of dual tasks in young healthy adults. Work. 2019;63(1):33–38. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-192905.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Wechsler D. Wechsler adult intelligence scale-fourth edition-(WAIS-IV). 2008. https://doi.org/10.1037/t15169-000.

  50. Rikli RE, Jones CJ. Development and validation of a functional fitness test for community-residing older adults. J Aging Phys Act. 1999;7:129–61. https://doi.org/10.1123/JAPA.7.2.129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Langhammer B, Stanghelle J. The senior fitness test. J Physiother. 2015;61:163. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JPHYS.2015.04.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Mora J, González J, Mora H. Baterías de Tests Más Utilizadas Para La Valoración de Los Niveles de Condición Física En Sujetos Mayores. Rev Española Educ Física y Deport. 2007;(380–381):107.

  53. Cohen J. Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. 2nd ed. Lawrence Earlbaum Associates; 1988.

  54. Latorre-Román P, Párraga-Montilla J. Robles-Fuentes A, Roche-Seruendo L, Lucena-Zurita M, Muñoz-Jiménez M, Manjón-Pozas D, Salas-Sánchez J, Almeida da Conceição F, Consuegra González P. Reference values of spatial and temporal gait parameters in a contemporary sample of Spanish preschool children: a cross-sectional study. Children 2022;9:1150. https://doi.org/10.3390/children9081150.

  55. Fritz N, Hamana K, Kelson M, Rosser A, Busse M, Quinn L. Motor-cognitive dual-task deficits in individuals with early-mid stage Huntington disease. Gait Posture. 2016;49:283–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GAITPOST.2016.07.014.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Asai T, Oshima K, Fukumoto Y, Kubo H, Koyama S, Misu S. Changes in step time variability, not changes in step length and width, are associated with lower-trunk sway during dual-task gait in older adults. Hum Mov Sci. 2019;66:157–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.HUMOV.2019.04.008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Zanon Zotin M, Sveikata L, Viswanathan A, Yilmaz P. Cerebral small vessel disease and vascular cognitive impairment: from diagnosis to management. Curr Opin Neurol. 2021;34:246. https://doi.org/10.1097/WCO.0000000000000913.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  58. Ma R, Zhào H, Wei W, Liu Y, Huang Y. Gait characteristics under single-/dual-task walking conditions in elderly patients with cerebral small vessel disease: analysis of gait variability, gait asymmetry and bilateral coordination of gait. Gait Posture. 2022;92:65–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GAITPOST.2021.11.007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Nyúl-Tóth Á, Tarantini S, Kiss T, Toth P, Galvan V, Tarantini A, Yabluchanskiy A, Csiszar A, Ungvari Z. Increases in hypertension-induced cerebral microhemorrhages exacerbate gait dysfunction in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. GeroScience. 2020;42:1685–98. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11357-020-00256-3.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  60. Mukli P, Detwiler S, Owens C, Csipo T, Lipecz A, Pinto C, Tarantini S, Nyul-Toth A, Balasubramanian P, Hoffmeister J, et al. Gait variability predicts cognitive impairment in older adults with subclinical cerebral small vessel disease. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022;14:1052451. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.1052451.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  61. Yogev-Seligmann G, Rotem-Galili Y, Mirelman A, Dickstein R, Giladi N, Hausdorff J. How does explicit prioritization alter walking during dual-task performance? Effects of age and sex on gait speed and variability. Phys Ther. 2010;90:177–86. https://doi.org/10.2522/PTJ.20090043.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  62. Marshall M, Duckworth S, Currie M, Schmid D, Rogers R. Role of age and sex on dual tasking using a treadmill desk while performing cognitive tests. Gait Posture. 2021;90:148–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GAITPOST.2021.08.013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Wang Y, Xu Q, Luo J, Hu M, Zuo C. Effects of age and sex on subcortical volumes. Front Aging Neurosci. 2019;11:469442. https://doi.org/10.3389/FNAGI.2019.00259/BIBTEX.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Nunnemann S, Wohlschläger A, Ilg R, Gaser C, Etgen T, Conrad B, Zimmer C, Mühlau M. Accelerated aging of the putamen in men but not in women. Neurobiol Aging. 2009;30:147–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NEUROBIOLAGING.2007.05.016.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Luo X, Mao Q, Shi J, Wang X, Li C-S. Putamen gray matter volumes in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. World J Psychiatry Ment Heal Res. 2019;3(1):1020.

  66. Hyeong-Dong K, Brunt D. The effect of a dual-task on obstacle crossing in healthy elderly and young adults. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2007;88:1309–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APMR.2007.07.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Eyal S, Kurz I, Mirelman A, Maidan I, Giladi N, Hausdorff JM. Successful negotiation of anticipated and unanticipated obstacles in young and older adults: not all is as expected. Gerontology. 2020;66:187–96. https://doi.org/10.1159/000502140.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Lau L, Mallya J, Pang W, Chen K, JKB A, Seah W, Yap P, Ng T, Wee S. Physiological and cognitive determinants of dual-task costs for gait parameters: the Yishun study. Gerontology 2021;67(4):457–66. https://doi.org/10.1159/000514171.

  69. Piche E, Chorin F, Gerus P, Jaafar A, Guerin O, Zory R. Effects of age, sex, frailty and falls on cognitive and motor performance during dual-task walking in older adults. Exp Gerontol. 2023;171:112022. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EXGER.2022.112022.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the selfless collaboration of all those who participated in the study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Musical, Plastic and Corporal Expression, University of Jaén, Paraje Las Lagunillas, S/N.,, 23071, Jaén, Spain

    Karina Elizabeth Andrade Lara, José Carlos Cabrera Linares, Juan Antonio Párraga Montilla & Pedro Ángel Latorre Román

Authors
  1. Karina Elizabeth Andrade Lara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. José Carlos Cabrera Linares
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Juan Antonio Párraga Montilla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Pedro Ángel Latorre Román
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to José Carlos Cabrera Linares.

Ethics declarations

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lara, K.E.A., Linares, J.C.C., Montilla, J.A.P. et al. Factors influencing gait performance in older adults in a dual-task paradigm. GeroScience 46, 3071–3083 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-023-01052-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-023-01052-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation