Biomechanical study shows dual tasks and sex alter dynamic stability during stair ascent, suggesting sex-specific compensatory strategies.
Key Points
To examine how cognitive and motor dual-tasks affect dynamic postural stability during stair ascent in healthy young adults, with a focus on sex-based differences.
Assessed 26 healthy young adults (14 males, 12 females) during stair ascent under three conditions: single-task, cognitive dual-task, and motor dual-task.
Synchronously collected kinematic and kinetic data via a Qualisys motion capture system and two Kistler force plates.
Analyzed anterior-posterior and mediolateral margins of stability at left foot contact and right foot off using two-way ANOVA.
Both dual-task conditions significantly decreased gait speed and cadence while increasing double support phase duration compared to the single-task baseline (p < 0.05).
Dual-task interference significantly increased anterior-posterior margin of stability at both left foot contact and right foot off (p < 0.05).
Female participants exhibited a significantly larger mediolateral margin of stability and wider anterior-posterior base of support than male participants (p < 0.05).