The effect of a perceptual cognitive task on exercise performance: the dual-task condition after brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of additional cognitive demand on cycling performance in individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI).


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre.


METHODS
Ten individuals with ABI (7 men, 3 women) (traumatic brain injury 7, tumour 1, stroke 2) and 10 healthy controls (6 men, 4 women).


METHODS
Individuals were asked to maintain a set cadence during a three-stage incremental cycling test in both single-task (no additional task) and dual-task (whilst performing an additional cognitive task) conditions.


RESULTS
The ABI group showed a slight slowing in cadence in stages 1 and 3 of the graded exercise test from the single- to the dual-task condition, although this was not significant (p < or = 0.05). The control group showed no slowing of cadence at any incremental stage. When directly comparing the ABI with the control group, the change in cadence observed in dual-task conditions was only significantly different in stage 3 (p < or = 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should be aware of the possibility that giving additional cognitive tasks (such as monitoring exercise intensity) while individuals with acquired brain injury are performing exercises may detrimentally affect performance. The effect may be more marked when the individuals are performing exercise at higher intensities.
Dawes
Helen
H
School of Biological and Molecular Sciences, Oxford Brookes University and Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre, Oxford, UK. hdawes@brookes.ac.uk
Cockburn
Janet
J
Roach
N K
NK
Wade
Derick T
DT
Bateman
Andrew
A
Scott
Oona
O
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003071:Cognition; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation