Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics (한국운동역학회지)

Korean Society of Applied Biomechanics (한국운동역학회)
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Treadmill Walking Characteristics of Middle-Aged Adults According to Dual-Task Types and Cognitive Domains

이중과제 유형 및 인지 영역에 따른 중장년층의 트레드밀 보행 특성

  • Soo-ji Han (Industry University Cooperation Foundation, Pukyong National University) ;
  • Jongchul Park (Department of Marine Sports, Pukyong National University)
  • Received : 2025.07.28
  • Accepted : 2025.08.28
  • Published : 2025.09.30
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Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in biomechanical gait characteristics according to dual-task types during treadmill walking in middle-aged adults with normal cognitive function, and to examine their associations with detailed cognitive domains of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Method: Nineteen middle-aged men who were capable of independent walking were recruited (cognitive task group, n = 9; auditory task group, n = 10). Cognitive function was assessed using the Korean version of the MoCA (K-MoCA). A three-dimensional motion analysis system was employed to measure spatiotemporal gait parameters and lower-limb joint range of motion (RoM) during normal walking and dual-task walking (cognitive: digit span; auditory: metronome). Dual-task cost (DTC) was calculated using the symmetry index (SI) and coefficient of variance (CV). Statistical analyses were conducted using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman's correlation (α = .05). Results: In the cognitive task group, cadence increased and step time decreased during dual-task walking compared to normal walking (p < .05). Between-group comparisons revealed a significant difference in step length CV DTC (p < .05). In the cognitive task group, hip joint RoM SI DTC was negatively correlated (ρ ≈ -0.30) with visuospatial/executive function, abstraction, orientation, and total K-MoCA scores, whereas ankle joint RoM CV DTC was positively correlated (ρ ≈ 0.35) with orientation. No significant correlations were observed in the auditory task group. Conclusion: Cognitive dual-tasking induced distinct alterations in gait biomechanics, and the associations with specific cognitive domains suggest that hip joint asymmetry and ankle joint variability may serve as potential biomarkers reflecting early cognitive decline.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2022S1A5B5A17047404). This research was supported by the Pukyong Natioanl University Industry-university Cooperation Foundation's 2024 Post-Doc. support project.

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