Influence of cognitive and perceptual processing on multitask performance with locomotion

Prior research has shown contradictory results regarding the relationship between physical performance and cognitive load, and a lack of task environment models to compromise stability recovery. The objectives of this study were to assess influence of multitasking involving locomotion and concurrent cognitive demands as well as locomotor internal situation model formulation on proactive gait control for hazards. Twenty-four participants navigated a virtual walking environment including locomotion hazards (puddles, potholes). Three variables were manipulated, including a-priori knowledge (three levels of training fidelity), navigation aid type (instruction-based, map-based), and physical cueing (visual only, visual and physical). Significant differences in weight acceptance force and centre of pressure slope suggest that higher environment knowledge and lower cognitive load lead to greater proactive control. Participants adopted a three-stride advance preparation strategy to accommodate hazards. The experiment demonstrated accurate task environment knowledge and situation processing to dictate gait control for hazards when performing concurrent cognitive tasks.