The effect of backpack weight on the performance of basic short-term/working memory tasks while walking along a pre-determined route

Effects of static postural loading on the performance of short-term/working memory tasks

This study empirically investigated the effects of static postural loading on the performance of basic short-term/working memory (STM/WM) tasks. Four posture groups varying in the magnitude of postural loading were considered. Each group corresponded to one of the four action categories of the OWAS posture classification scheme and consisted of three postures belonging to the action category. Three STM/WM tasks, the Corsi block-tapping, digit span, and 3-back tasks, were considered to examine the visuo-spatial sketchpad, phonological loop, and central executive sub-systems of WM. Thirty participants conducted the STM/WM tasks while statically holding each of the twelve postures. Friedman test results revealed that postural loading significantly affected the STM/WM task performance for each of the three experimental tasks (p < .001). The current study findings may help understand the impacts of postural loading on the worker's concurrent cognitive task performance in various physical-cognitive dual task situations.

The development, and day-to-day variation, of a Military-Specific Auditory N-Back Task and Shoot-/Don’t -Shoot Task

During military operations, soldiers are required to successfully complete numerous physical and cognitive tasks concurrently. Understanding the typical variance in research tools that may be used to provide insight into the interrelationship between physical and cognitive performance is therefore highly important. This study assessed the inter-day variability of two military-specific cognitive assessments: a Military-Specific Auditory N-Back Task (MSANT) and a Shoot-/Don’t-Shoot Task (SDST) in 28 participants. Limits of agreement ±95% confidence intervals, standard error of the mean, and smallest detectable change were calculated to quantify the typical variance in task performance. All parameters within the MSANT and SDST demonstrated no mean difference for trial visit in either the seated or walking condition, with equivalency demonstrated for the majority of comparisons. Collectively, these data provided an indication of the typical variance in MSANT and SDST performance, while demonstrating that both assessments can be used during seated and walking conditions.