title: Effects of gradual versus sudden training on the cognitive demand required while learning a novel locomotor task.
abstract: The cognitive demand required for a range of locomotor tasks has been described for a variety of populations. However, the effect of different training strategies on the cognitive demand required while learning novel locomotor tasks is not well understood and may inform physical rehabilitation. The authors examined whether two training strategies, gradual and sudden training, influenced the cognitive demand required while practicing a novel locomotor task, asymmetric split-belt treadmill walking. Simple reaction times and whole-body kinematics were recorded throughout practice. Gradual training resulted in significantly lower reaction times during much of training, suggesting that gradual training is less cognitively demanding than sudden training, possibly due to a reduction in error feedback or movement planning demands.
authors.affiliation: Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sawers
authors.forename: Valerie E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hahn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult