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Age-related differences in working memory and force control under dual-task conditions.

Voelcker-Rehage C, Stronge AJ, Alberts JL

Jacobs Center for Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development, International University Bremen, Germany. c.voelcker-rehage@iu-bremen.de

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between force control and cognitive performance under dual-task conditions in younger (18-22 years) and older adults (65-77 years). Cognitive (n-back test) and motor performance (force-tracking) was measured independently and simultaneously. Results indicated overall age-related differences for the n-back and the force-tracking task. Age-related differences increased during dual-task conditions. While younger adults exhibited no decrease in cognitive or motor performance during dual-task conditions, older adults showed a decrease in motor and cognitive performance. Additionally, when older adults made an error in the cognitive task they tended to show greater variability in the force-tracking task. These results suggest that cognitive motor deficits are responsible for older adults' performance decrements under dual-task conditions.

Published 4 August 2006 in Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn, 13(3): 366-84.
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