Effects on Dual Task Walking

John Nguyen, Hannah Smith-Williams, & Heather Phipps

KINS 3591.02

Introduction Proficient Walking

Heel-forefoot pattern

Increased stride length

Increased walking velocity

VIDEO

Literature #1 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167945706000285

“Relationships between dual-task related changes in stride velocity and stride time variability in healthy older adults”

Purpose: Observe gait changes, if any, in healthy older adults and see if there’s a relation to attention

45 healthy adults (ages 60-71)

4 experimental conditions

Walking at a normal self pace, walking at a slow self pace, performing a verbal task while sitting, perform a verbal task while walking

Results:

Significant dual-task decrease in stride velocity

Decrease in walking speed for dual-task walking

Effect of walking speed on stride time

Dual-task gait changes

-increase in stops, lateral deviation, steps, walking time

Verbal task decrease mean stride velocity & stride time, increase stride time variability

Conclusion:

Dual-task related to attention demand of verbal task

-involves cortical regions

Literature #2 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457511001965

“Distraction and pedestrian safety: How talking on the phone, texting, and listening to music impact crossing the street”

Purpose: Experts test the impact of pedestrian safety due to distractions

138 college students (ages 17-45)

Four groups:

Crossing while talking on the phone, crossing while texting, crossing while listening to music, crossing undistracted

Complete 10 trials in virtual pedestrian environment

Results:

Music & text group experienced more “hits” vs. undistracted

All 3 dual-task groups looked away from street environment

Conclusion:

Texting more cognitively distracting vs. talking

Talking more cognitively distracting vs. listening to music

Listening to music constant disruption

Literature #3 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966636211008046

“Cell phones change the way we walk”

Purpose: observe participants’ changes, if any, of walking in 3 conditions

Hypothesis: Cell phone use will negatively influence walking, and texting will lead to greater disruptions

33 participants (age range 26)

Three groups (11 each)

Walking undistracted (WALK), walking while talking on phone (TALK), walking while texting (TEXT)

1 familiarization trial, 2 trails for analysis (a week later)

Results

TEXT group- 61% increase in lateral deviation & 13% increase in linear distance traveled

WALK group- no decrease in walking speed

WALK & TALK group- no increase in linear distance traveled

Conclusion

Texting & talking on cell phones influence walking

Cell phone use unable to maintain walking speed

Texting affects safety

Cell phone use affects memory

Dual task walking impacts executive function

Texting condition had greater interference

Purpose

To test the participants ability to walk undistracted, then distracted while doing dual tasks and observe the changes.

Observing:

Stride Length

Step Length

Gait Velocity

Cadence

Hypothesis

The subject will show a significant change in the direction they walk along with consistency when they are performing a dual task walk compared to walking

undistracted.

Methods: ParticipantsGender: Female

Age: 20

Weight: 52.16 kg

Height: 157.5 cm

Any Disabilities: No

Experience with Dual-Tasking: Yes

Additional Comments: Walks slightly on the outside of foot

Equipment

2 Anti Force Plates

10 Camera Vicon System

Labeling: Vicon Nexus

Retro Reflective Markers

Data Collection: 250 Hertz

Processing: KWON 3D XP

Starting Marker

iPhone4S Cellphone

Headphones

2.27 kg Handbag

Procedure

1. Set-up computer program

2. Calibration

3. Put retro reflective markers on designated body segments

4. Taped reflectors on participant’s attire, if needed

5. Perform test trial

6. Removed retro reflective markers (Medial Knee & Medial Ankle)

7. Participant performed 6 trials of walking

8. Participant performed 5 trials of dual-task walking

Resultant Body Segments Pelvis

-RASIS=Right Anterior SuperiorIlliac Spine-LASIS=Left Anterior SuperiorIlliac Spine-SAC= back sacrum

Thigh

-RK=Right Knee

-LK= Left Knee-RH=Right Hip-LH=Left Hip

Shank-LA=Left Ankle-RA=Right Ankle-LK=Left Knee-RK=Right Knee

Foot-RF=Right Foot-LF=Left Foot-RT=Right Toe-LT=Left Toe-RH=Right Hell-LH=Left Heel

Results: Visual Events

Results

Results

Center of Pressure: Force Plate 1/ Y Axis

Possible Sources of Error

Only used one age group

Her personal phone was used

Texting the same sentence

Participant was aware of the experiment

Conclusion

Hypothesis was incorrect.

Little or no significant change in stride length, step length, gait velocity, and cadence.

Significant change in center of pressure when normally walking compared to walking with distractions.

Ways to improve the study:

Obstacles

Target

More participants

Even gender ratio

Age range

Unaware of study’s purpose

References

Dubost V., Kressig R.W., Gonthier R., Herrmann F.R., Aminian K., Najafi B., Beauchet O. (2006). Relationships between dual-task related changes in stride velocity and stride time variability in healthy older adults. Human Movement Science, 25(3), pp. 372-382.

Lamberg E., Muratori L. (2011). Cell phones change the way we walk. Gait & Posture. 35(4), pp. 688–690

Schwebel D., Stavrinos D., Byington K., Davis T., O’Neal E., Jong D. (2011). Distraction and pedestrian safety: How talking on the phone, texting, and listening to music impact crossing the street. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 45, pp. 266–271.

Texting while walking FAIL -- epic fail compilation[Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9H2q6yYKSI

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