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Assessing Cognitive-Motor Interference in Military Contexts: Validity and Reliability of Two Dual-tasking Tests

Gattoni, Chiara, Martinez-Gonzalez, Borja, Li, Caroline, Marcora, Samuele Maria (2023) Assessing Cognitive-Motor Interference in Military Contexts: Validity and Reliability of Two Dual-tasking Tests. Military Medicine, 188 (9-10). e2900-e2908. ISSN 0026-4075. E-ISSN 1930-613X. (doi:10.1093/milmed/usad048) (KAR id:101091)

Abstract

Introduction

Cognitive-motor interference is the decrease in cognitive performance and/or physical performance occurring when a cognitive task and a physical task are performed concurrently (dual task) compared to when they are performed in isolation (single task). The aim of this study was to investigate the construct validity and test–retest reliability of two cognitive-motor interference tests in military contexts.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-two soldiers, officers, and cadets performed a 10-min loaded marching, a 10-min Psychomotor Vigilance Task, and the two tasks combined (visit 1). During visit 2, a 5-min running time trial, a 5-min Word Recall Task, and the two tasks combined. These tests were repeated by 20 participants after 2 weeks (visits 3 and 4).

Results

Significant impairments were shown on both running distance (P < .001) and number of words recalled (P = .004) in the dual-task condition compared to the single-task condition. Significantly shorter step length (P < .001) and higher step frequency (P < .001) were found during the loaded marching in the dual-task condition compared to the single-task condition. No significant differences were observed in mean reaction time (P = .402) and number of lapses (P = .479) during the Psychomotor Vigilance Task. Good-to-excellent reliability was found for all the cognitive and physical variables in both single- and dual-task conditions, except for the number of lapses.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the Running + Word Recall Task test is a valid and reliable dual-tasking test that could be used to assess cognitive-motor interference in military contexts.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1093/milmed/usad048
Uncontrolled keywords: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, General Medicine
Subjects: Q Science
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Sport and Exercise Sciences
Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Computing
Funders: Ministry of Defence (https://ror.org/01bvxzn29)
Depositing User: Samuele Marcora
Date Deposited: 27 Apr 2023 10:46 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Oct 2023 13:56 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/101091 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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