The role of executive function domains on cognitive and gait performance during dual task walking in healthy young adults: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND

Dual-task walking (DTW) is commonly used to assess EF, yet most research has focused either on motor task difficulty or the influence of a single EF domain. This study addresses the gap by examining multiple EF domains during DTW.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the impact of different executive function (EF) domains on dual-task walking (DTW) in healthy young adults.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 29 healthy young adults completed tasks representing inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, both individually and while walking. Correct response speed (CRS) for EF tasks and dual-task cost (DTC) for CRS, gait speed, and overall interference were measured across different EF domains.

RESULTS

The backward digit span task (working memory) exhibited the highest CRS in both single-task and dual-task conditions, while the naming task (cognitive flexibility) had the slowest CRS. Gait performance was best during single walking, followed by walking while performing the Stroop task (WS), backward digit span task (WB), and naming task (WN). Significantly higher DTCs for CRS were observed during WB, and for gait speed during WN. WN demonstrated the highest overall interference, while working memory showed similar levels of cognitive and motor interference.

CONCLUSION

Different EF domains exert varying levels of interference on dual-task walking. Cognitive flexibility demonstrated the highest overall interference, while working memory showed similar levels of cognitive and motor interference.

APPLICATION: These findings are valuable for selecting assessments and planning interventions to improve dual-tasking abilities, particularly in populations at risk for cognitive-motor interference.