{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,29]],"date-time":"2026-09-29T03:55:57Z","timestamp":1790654157748,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":46,"publisher":"Oxford University Press (OUP)","issue":"10","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2009,10,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Approximately 75% of all injury-producing falls on steps for people of all ages occur in people 65 years of age and older. Diminished attentional capacity contributes to fall risk in older adults, particularly when task demands are high.<\/jats:p>\n               <jats:p>Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the attentional demands of ascending and descending a set of stairs (stair ambulation) in older adults and younger adults.<\/jats:p>\n               <jats:p>Design: This was a nonblinded, prospective, single-site, observational cohort study.<\/jats:p>\n               <jats:p>Methods: Ten older (&amp;gt;65 years of age) and 10 younger (21\u201333 years of age) adults without disabilities were recruited. A dual-task approach was used for 2 task conditions: the first task was standing and responding verbally to an unanticipated auditory tone as quickly as possible (probe task), and the second task was ascending or descending a set of stairs with the same probe task. A 2-factor (group \u00d7 task) analysis of variance with repeated measures on task (standing and stair ambulation) was performed for voice response time (VRT). Significance for the analysis was set at P&amp;lt;.05.<\/jats:p>\n               <jats:p>Results: The group \u00d7 task interaction was significant for VRT. Post hoc analyses indicated that during stair ambulation, the VRT for older adults was significantly longer than that for younger adults. For the standing task, the VRTs (X\u0305\u00b1SD) were similar for younger (322\u00b165 milliseconds) and older (306\u00b122 milliseconds) participants. For stair ascent and descent, the average VRTs were more than 100 milliseconds longer for older participants (493\u00b1113 and 470\u00b1127 milliseconds, respectively) than for younger participants (365\u00b156 and 356\u00b167 milliseconds, respectively).<\/jats:p>\n               <jats:p>Limitations: Because of the small sample size and generally fit older group, generalization of findings to older people at risk for falls is not recommended until further research is done.<\/jats:p>\n               <jats:p>Conclusions: The results demonstrated that although both older and younger adults required similar attentional resources for the standing task, older adults required significantly more resources during stair ambulation. The findings suggested that the dual-task method used here provided a clinically useful measure for detecting important changes in attentional demands in older adults who are healthy.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.2522\/ptj.20080187","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2009,8,7]],"date-time":"2009-08-07T00:54:09Z","timestamp":1249606449000},"page":"1080-1088","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":43,"title":["Age Affects the Attentional Demands of Stair Ambulation: Evidence From a Dual-Task Approach"],"prefix":"10.1093","volume":"89","author":[{"given":"Heidi A.","family":"Ojha","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"H.A. Ojha, PT, DPT, OCS, is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Jones Hall, Room 619, 3307 N Broad St, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140 (USA)."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rebecca W.","family":"Kern","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"R.W. Kern, PT, DPT, OCS, is Owner and Director, Kern and Associates Physical Therapy, Santa Monica, California."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Chien-Ho Janice","family":"Lin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"C.-H.J. Lin, PT, PhD, is Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Carolee J.","family":"Winstein","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"C.J. Winstein, PT, PhD, FAPTA, is Professor and Director of Research, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the School of Dentistry, Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"286","reference":[{"key":"2019123106480924000_R1","volume-title":"Preventing Falls: How to Develop Community-based Fall Prevention Programs for Older Adults","author":"Gerberding","year":"2008"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R2","volume-title":"The State of Aging and Health in America","year":"2004"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R3","volume-title":"Injury Facts","author":"Hoskin","year":"2007"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R4","volume-title":"Injury Facts","author":"Hoskin","year":"2005"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"675","DOI":"10.1016\/0001-4575(94)90029-9","article-title":"The incidence of stairway injuries in Austria","volume":"26","author":"Hemenway","year":"1994","journal-title":"Accid Anal Prev"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"866","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/61.8.866","article-title":"Foot and ankle risk factors for falls in older people: a prospective study","volume":"61","author":"Menz","year":"2006","journal-title":"J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"298","DOI":"10.1093\/ageing\/afl002","article-title":"Postural, physiological and psychological reactions to challenging balance: does age make a difference","volume":"35","author":"Carpenter","year":"2006","journal-title":"Age Ageing"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101","DOI":"10.1016\/S0966-6362(02)00200-X","article-title":"Aging, muscle activity, and balance control: physiologic changes associated with balance impairment","volume":"18","author":"Laughton","year":"2003","journal-title":"Gait Posture"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"M469","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/55.8.M469","article-title":"A prospective study of laboratory and clinical measures of postural stability to predict community-dwelling fallers","volume":"55","author":"Brauer","year":"2000","journal-title":"J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1121","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1532-5415.2004.52310.x","article-title":"Muscle weakness and falls in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"52","author":"Moreland","year":"2004","journal-title":"J Am Geriatr Soc"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1921","DOI":"10.1359\/JBMR.050520","article-title":"Identification of high-risk individuals for hip fracture: a 14-year prospective study","volume":"20","author":"Nguyen","year":"2005","journal-title":"J Bone Miner Res"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"417","DOI":"10.1007\/s00198-005-0002-0","article-title":"A risk profile for identifying community-dwelling elderly with a high risk of recurrent falling: results of a 3-year prospective study","volume":"17","author":"Pluijm","year":"2006","journal-title":"Osteoporos Int"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4","DOI":"10.1186\/1471-2318-6-4","article-title":"Cross-sectional relationship between physical fitness components and functional performance in older persons living in long-term care facilities","volume":"6","author":"Singh","year":"2006","journal-title":"BMC Geriatr"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1169","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1532-5415.2006.00813.x","article-title":"An 8-year prospective study of the relationship between cognitive performance and falling in very old adults","volume":"54","author":"Anstey","year":"2006","journal-title":"J Am Geriatr Soc"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"45","DOI":"10.1016\/S0966-6362(97)00031-3","article-title":"Sudden turns and stops while walking: kinematic sources of age and gender differences","volume":"7","author":"Cao","year":"1998","journal-title":"Gait Posture"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105","DOI":"10.1016\/S0966-6362(00)00074-6","article-title":"The effect of age on the attentional demands of postural control","volume":"12","author":"Marsh","year":"2000","journal-title":"Gait Posture"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"541","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-005-2280-3","article-title":"Walking is more like catching than tapping: gait in the elderly as a complex cognitive task","volume":"164","author":"Hausdorff","year":"2005","journal-title":"Exp Brain Res"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"M116","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/51A.3.M116","article-title":"Stepping over obstacles: dividing attention impairs performance of old more than young adults","volume":"51","author":"Chen","year":"1996","journal-title":"J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"M10","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/55.1.M10","article-title":"Attentional demands and postural control: the effect of sensory context","volume":"55","author":"Shumway-Cook","year":"2000","journal-title":"J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"157","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1532-5415.2002.50022.x","article-title":"Reliability and validity of a dual-task force platform assessment of balance performance: effect of age, balance impairment, and cognitive task","volume":"50","author":"Condron","year":"2002","journal-title":"J Am Geriatr Soc"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"269","DOI":"10.1191\/0269215506cr929oa","article-title":"Identification of healthy elderly fallers and non-fallers by gait analysis under dual-task conditions","volume":"20","author":"Toulotte","year":"2006","journal-title":"Clin Rehabil"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"M232","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/52A.4.M232","article-title":"The effects of two types of cognitive tasks on postural stability in older adults with and without a history of falls","volume":"52","author":"Shumway-Cook","year":"1997","journal-title":"J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1572","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1532-5415.2002.50415.x","article-title":"Validity of divided attention tasks in predicting falls in older individuals: a preliminary study","volume":"50","author":"Verghese","year":"2002","journal-title":"J Am Geriatr Soc"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"418","DOI":"10.1093\/ageing\/afm011","article-title":"\u2018Faster counting while walking\u2019 as a predictor of falls in older adults","volume":"36","author":"Beauchet","year":"2007","journal-title":"Age Ageing"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"306","DOI":"10.1093\/ptj\/72.4.306","article-title":"The dual-task methodology and assessing the attentional demands of ambulation with walking devices","volume":"72","author":"Wright","year":"1992","journal-title":"Phys Ther"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"139","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00228824","article-title":"Attentional demands for static and dynamic equilibrium","volume":"97","author":"Lajoie","year":"1993","journal-title":"Exp Brain Res"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R27","first-page":"101","article-title":"Dual-task methodology and motor skills research: some applications and methodological constraints","volume":"14","author":"Abernethy","year":"1988","journal-title":"Journal of Human Movement Studies"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"161","DOI":"10.1080\/00222895.1976.10735068","volume":"8","author":"Salmoni","year":"1976","journal-title":"J Mot Behav"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"372","DOI":"10.1016\/j.humov.2006.03.004","article-title":"Relationships between dual-task related changes in stride velocity and stride time variability in healthy older adults","volume":"25","author":"Dubost","year":"2006","journal-title":"Hum Mov Sci"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"187","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2006.10.031","article-title":"The effect of cognitive dual tasks on balance during walking in physically fit elderly people","volume":"88","author":"van Iersel","year":"2007","journal-title":"Arch Phys Med Rehabil"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"470","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gaitpost.2006.11.201","article-title":"Reducing postural sway by manipulating the difficulty levels of a cognitive task and a balance task","volume":"26","author":"Swan","year":"2007","journal-title":"Gait Posture"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"674","DOI":"10.1136\/jnnp.2005.074138","article-title":"Disruption of sitting balance after stroke: influence of spoken output","volume":"77","author":"Harley","year":"2006","journal-title":"J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"113","DOI":"10.1080\/02701367.1999.10608028","article-title":"A 30-s chair-stand test as a measure of lower body strength in community-residing older adults","volume":"70","author":"Jones","year":"1999","journal-title":"Res Q Exerc Sport"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"129","DOI":"10.1123\/japa.7.2.129","article-title":"Development and validation of a functional fitness test for community-residing older adults","volume":"7","author":"Rikli","year":"1999","journal-title":"J Aging Phys Act"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"119","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1532-5415.1986.tb05480.x","article-title":"Performance-oriented assessment of mobility problems in elderly patients","volume":"34","author":"Tinetti","year":"1986","journal-title":"J Am Geriatr Soc"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"M28","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/50A.1.M28","article-title":"The Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale","volume":"50","author":"Powell","year":"1995","journal-title":"J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R37","volume-title":"Chronometric Explorations of Mind","author":"Posner","year":"1978"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"74","DOI":"10.1519\/00139143-200608000-00006","article-title":"Changes in dual-task voice reaction time among elders who use assistive devices","volume":"29","author":"Wellmon","year":"2006","journal-title":"J Geriatr Phys Ther"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"185","DOI":"10.1080\/03610739608254006","article-title":"Upright standing and gait: are there changes in attentional requirements related to normal aging","volume":"22","author":"Lajoie","year":"1996","journal-title":"Exp Aging Res"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"950","DOI":"10.1002\/mds.20848","article-title":"Dual-tasking effects on gait variability: the role of aging, falls, and executive function","volume":"21","author":"Springer","year":"2006","journal-title":"Mov Disord"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1309","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2007.07.001","article-title":"The effect of a dual-task on obstacle crossing in healthy elderly and young adults","volume":"88","author":"Kim","year":"2007","journal-title":"Arch Phys Med Rehabil"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"50","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2006.10.007","article-title":"Walking while talking: effect of task prioritization in the elderly","volume":"88","author":"Verghese","year":"2007","journal-title":"Arch Phys Med Rehabil"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"617","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(97)24009-2","article-title":"\u201cStops walking when talking\u201d as a predictor of falls in elderly people","volume":"349","author":"Lundin-Olsson","year":"1997","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"758","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1532-5415.1998.tb03813.x","article-title":"Attention, frailty, and falls: the effect of a manual task on basic mobility","volume":"46","author":"Lundin-Olsson","year":"1998","journal-title":"J Am Geriatr Soc"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1325","DOI":"10.1093\/gerona\/63.12.1325","article-title":"Guest editorial: linking thinking, walking, and falling","volume":"63","author":"Alexander","year":"2008","journal-title":"J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci"},{"key":"2019123106480924000_R46","first-page":"92","volume-title":"Motor Control and Learning: A Behavioral Emphasis","author":"Schmidt","year":"2005"}],"container-title":["Physical Therapy"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"http:\/\/academic.oup.com\/ptj\/article-pdf\/89\/10\/1080\/31663131\/ptj1080.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"http:\/\/academic.oup.com\/ptj\/article-pdf\/89\/10\/1080\/31663131\/ptj1080.pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2019,12,31]],"date-time":"2019-12-31T11:48:26Z","timestamp":1577792906000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/ptj\/article\/89\/10\/1080\/2737619"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2009,10,1]]},"references-count":46,"journal-issue":{"issue":"10","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2009,10,1]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2522\/ptj.20080187","relation":{},"ISSN":["0031-9023","1538-6724"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0031-9023","type":"print"},{"value":"1538-6724","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2009,10,1]]}}}