Cognitive Load Effects on Balance and Postural Stability in Young Adults

Evaluating the Effects of Cognitive Load on Postural Stability and Balance Recovery Mechanisms in Younger Adults

• The aim is to determine the impact of cognitive load on balance recovery mechanisms following perturbations in young adults.
• To evaluate how secondary task is influenced by cognitive load and vice versa.
• To compare the impact of cognitive load on balance recovery mechanisms following perturbations in male and female young adults.
• This study interrelates the cognitive load, postural stability, balance recovery in the result of perturbation and effects on participants.

Maintaining balance is an important skill that requires coordination and is crucial for human beings. The Central Nervous System (CNS) plays an important role in maintaining balance, postural stability, and postural correction in response to sudden perturbation. The subcortical brain region contributes to balance maintenance and postural stability is regulated by the cerebral cortex. Balance is defined as the "Body's ability to keep its center of gravity within the base of support either standing or walking". On a regular basis people encounter perturbations (traveling on a bus while standing) that challenge balance, to overcome unexpected perturbations there must be activation of postural muscles to maintain the center of gravity within the base of support and prevent fall. Individuals mostly use ankle strategy or hip strategy to recover from perturbation and prevent fall. Anticipatory postural adjustment is a critical component of postural stability. recently cognition and postural control have received attention, there are studies that claim that dual-task design has been used to show the relation between posture and cognitive functioning. In the dual-task paradigm two tasks are performed simultaneously to divert the attention of an individual to an external source (counting backward etc.) while performing another task. Divided attention is commonly required in daily life while performing dual tasking and multitasking activities, if attention is not properly divided among task it will results in decline in performance which causes impairment of balance and fall.To prevent this, balance must be recovered from perturbation. The purpose is to assess effect of cognitive loading and recovery from perturbations along with balance maintenance and fulfillment of research gap that study should be performed with multiple methods of cognitive loading. That's why different methods for cognitive loading are used in current study which shows that how varying levels of cognitive load influence postural stability and balance in dual-task conditions. This research can help in rehabilitation programs in which specific interventional designs and treatment protocols are made to improve balance under the influence of cognitive load. Provide awareness to people on a societal level to improve their balance and posture maintenance under a mental workload.

Inclusion Criteria

• Participants between age of 18 to 30 (university Students)
• Sufficient physical function to stand independently.
• Self-reported independent ambulation.
• Participant willingness to participate.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of neurological or vestibular disorders.
• Self-reported presence of musculoskeletal condition.
• Disorders of spine, pelvic girdle and lower limb.