Effects of mobile phone task engagement on gait and dynamic stability during stair ascent and descent

  • Qingling Qu Department of Physical Education, Yichun University, Yichun 336000, China
  • Chaojie Wu Department of Physical Education, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeollabuk 54896, Republic of Korea
  • Yanjia Xu Department of Physical Education, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeollabuk 54896, Republic of Korea
  • Yang Lu Department of Physical Education, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeollabuk 54896, Republic of Korea
  • Jinqian Zhang Department of Physical Education, Yichun University, Yichun 336000, China
  • Sukwon Kim Department of Physical Education, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeollabuk 54896, Republic of Korea
Keywords: gait stability; mobile; walking; stairs; disturbance
Ariticle ID: 243

Abstract

Mobile devices, including smartphones, have become closely integrated into our daily lives. However, using a phone while walking may lead to falls due to cognitive distraction. In comparison to walking on level ground, stair ambulation represents one of the most challenging and hazardous forms of movement. It is imperative to explore the impact of mobile phone task engagement on walking patterns and stability during stair ascent and descent. Methods: Recruited 16 young participants for our study, where they were required to perform single tasks (ascending and descending stairs) and dual tasks (using a smartphone while ascending and descending stairs). During these activities, we collected data on gait parameters and the range of motion (RoM) of the center of mass (CoM) in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions. Paired-sample t-tests were employed for data analysis. Results: Mobile task engagement resulted in a decrease in walking speed (p < 0.001), a decrease in gait cycle (p < 0.001), and an increase in task completion time (p < 0.001). During stair ascent, there was a reduction in double support ratio (p = 0.010) and an increase in single support ratio (p < 0.001). The stability of the center of mass (CoM) in the anterior-posterior direction increased during task execution (p < 0.001), while the stability in the medial-lateral direction decreased (ascending stairs p = 0.041; descending stairs p = 0.024). Conclusion: These findings indicate that engaging in mobile tasks affects the gait parameters during stair ascent and descent. However, the impact on dynamic stability is not entirely negative; instead, it has a positive effect on the dynamic stability of the CoM in the anterior-posterior direction. This suggests that healthy young participants may adopt a more stable gait pattern while performing dual tasks.

References

1. Startzell JK, Owens DA, Mulfinger LM, et al. Stair Negotiation in Older People: A Review. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2000; 48(5): 567-580. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2000.tb05006.x

2. Ojha HA, Kern RW, Lin CHJ, et al. Age Affects the Attentional Demands of Stair Ambulation: Evidence From a Dual-Task Approach. Physical Therapy. 2009; 89(10): 1080-1088. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20080187

3. Vallabhajosula S, Tan CW, Mukherjee M, et al. Biomechanical analyses of stair-climbing while dual-tasking. Journal of Biomechanics. 2015; 48(6): 921-929. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.02.024

4. Sungmin K. Effects of Dual-Task during Stair Descending on Lower Extremity Muscle and Approximate Entropy. Journal of Tianjin University of Sport. 2018; 33(4): 362-368.

5. Nordin E, Moe-Nilssen R, Ramnemark A, et al. Changes in step-width during dual-task walking predicts falls. Gait & Posture. 2010; 32(1): 92-97. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2010.03.012

6. Antonio PJ, Perry SD. Quantifying stair gait stability in young and older adults, with modifications to insole hardness. Gait & Posture. 2014; 40(3): 429-434. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.05.009

7. Hashish R, Toney-Bolger ME, Sharpe SS, et al. Texting during stair negotiation and implications for fall risk. Gait & Posture. 2017; 58: 409-414. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.09.004

8. Greenspan SL. Fall direction, bone mineral density, and function: risk factors for hip fracture in frail nursing home elderly. The American journal of medicine. 1998; 104(6): 539-545. doi: 10.1016/S0002-9343(98)00115-6,

9. Templer J. The Staircase, Volume2: Stduesi of Hazards, Falls, and Safer Design. The MIT Press; 1992. doi: 10.7551/mitpress/6434.001.0001

10. Horak FB. Postural orientation and equilibrium: what do we need to know about neural control of balance to prevent falls? Age and Ageing. 2006; 35(suppl_2): ii7-ii11. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afl077

11. Morioka S, Hiyamizu M, Yagi F. The Effects of an Attentional Demand Tasks on Standing Posture Control. Journal of Physiological Anthropology and Applied Human Science. 2005; 24(3): 215-219. doi: 10.2114/jpa.24.215

12. de Lima AC, de Azevedo Neto RM, Teixeira LA. On the functional integration between postural and supra-postural tasks on the basis of contextual cues and task constraint. Gait & Posture. 2010; 32(4): 615-618. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2010.09.003

13. Fan Z. Effect of Intervention of Cognitive Tasks during Stair Negotiation on Lower Extremity Inter-joint Coordination. China Sport Science. 2015; 35(1): 44-53.

14. Song Q, Tian X, Wong D, et al. Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on body stability among the elderly during stair descent under different levels of illumination. Research in Sports Medicine. 2017; 25(2): 197-208. doi: 10.1080/15438627.2017.1282363

15. Lee HJ, Chou LS. Balance control during stair negotiation in older adults. Journal of Biomechanics. 2007; 40(11): 2530-2536. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2006.11.001

16. Hak L, Houdijk H, Steenbrink F, et al. Speeding up or slowing down?: Gait adaptations to preserve gait stability in response to balance perturbations. Gait & Posture. 2012; 36(2): 260-264. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.03.005

17. Hof AL, Gazendam MGJ, Sinke WE. The condition for dynamic stability. Journal of Biomechanics. 2005; 38(1): 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.03.025

18. Pai Y-C, Patton J. Center of mass velocity-position predictions for balance control. Journal of biomechanics. 1997; 30(4): 347-354. doi: 10.1016/S0021-9290(96)00165-0

19. Horak FB. Postural orientation and equilibrium: what do we need to know about neural control of balance to prevent falls? Age and Ageing. 2006; 35(suppl_2): ii7-ii11. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afl077

20. Jian Y. Trajectory of the body COG and COP during initiation and termination of gait. Gait & posture. 1993; 1(1): 9-22. doi: 10.1016/0966-6362(93)90038-3

21. MacKinnon CD, Winter DA. Control of whole body balance in the frontal plane during human walking. Journal of biomechanics. 1993; 26(6): 633-644. doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(93)90027-C

22. Huifen Z. Effects of Mobile Phone Task on Dynamic Stability during Stair Descent. Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021; 40(7): 528-535.

23. Leardini A, Sawacha Z, Paolini G, et al. A new anatomically based protocol for gait analysis in children. Gait & Posture. 2007; 26(4): 560-571. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.12.018

24. Portinaro N, Leardini A, Panou A, et al. Modifying the Rizzoli foot model to improve the diagnosis of pes‐planus: application to kinematics of feet in teenagers. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 2014; 7(1). doi: 10.1186/s13047-014-0057-2

25. Burnfield JM, Shu Y, Buster TW, et al. Kinematic and electromyographic analyses of normal and device-assisted sit-to-stand transfers. Gait & Posture. 2012; 36(3): 516-522. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.05.002

26. Mian OS, Narici MV, Minetti AE, et al. Centre of mass motion during stair negotiation in young and older men. Gait & Posture. 2007; 26(3): 463-469. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.11.202

27. Madehkhaksar F, Egges A. Effect of dual task type on gait and dynamic stability during stair negotiation at different inclinations. Gait & Posture. 2016; 43: 114-119. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2015.09.009

28. Wayne PM, Hausdorff JM, Lough M, et al. Tai Chi Training may Reduce Dual Task Gait Variability, a Potential Mediator of Fall Risk, in Healthy Older Adults: Cross-Sectional and Randomized Trial Studies. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2015; 9. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00332

29. Asai T, Misu S, Doi T, et al. Effects of dual-tasking on control of trunk movement during gait: Respective effect of manual- and cognitive-task. Gait & Posture. 2014; 39(1): 54-59. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.05.025

30. Song Q, Li L, Zhang C, et al. Long-term Tai Chi practitioners have superior body stability under dual task condition during stair ascent. Gait & Posture. 2018; 66: 124-129. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.08.008

31. Lim J, Chang SH, Lee J, et al. Effects of smartphone texting on the visual perception and dynamic walking stability. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation. 2017; 13(1): 48-54. doi: 10.12965/jer.1732920.460

32. Plummer P, Apple S, Dowd C, et al. Texting and walking: Effect of environmental setting and task prioritization on dual-task interference in healthy young adults. Gait & Posture. 2015; 41(1): 46-51. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.08.007

33. Schabrun SM, van den Hoorn W, Moorcroft A, et al. Texting and Walking: Strategies for Postural Control and Implications for Safety. Milanese S, ed. PLoS ONE. 2014; 9(1): e84312. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084312

34. Simoni D, Rubbieri G, Baccini M, et al. Different motor tasks impact differently on cognitive performance of older persons during dual task tests. Clinical Biomechanics. 2013; 28(6): 692-696. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2013.05.011

35. Martini DN, Sabin MJ, DePesa SA, et al. The Chronic Effects of Concussion on Gait. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2011; 92(4): 585-589. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.11.029

36. Min KS. Effects on lower limb muscle activity performance and acceleration approximate entropy index during dual-task down-stair walking. Journal of Tianjin University of Sport. 2018; 33(4): 362-368.

37. Chien HL, Lu TW, Liu MW. Control of the motion of the body’s center of mass in relation to the center of pressure during high-heeled gait. Gait & Posture. 2013; 38(3): 391-396. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.12.015

38. Reeves ND, Spanjaard M, Mohagheghi AA, et al. Influence of light handrail use on the biomechanics of stair negotiation in old age. Gait & Posture. 2008; 28(2): 327-336. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.01.014

39. Regnaux JP, Robertson J, Smail DB, et al. Human treadmill walking needs attention. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 2006; 3(1). doi: 10.1186/1743-0003-3-19

40. Schaefer S, Jagenow D, Verrel J, et al. The influence of cognitive load and walking speed on gait regularity in children and young adults. Gait & Posture. 2015; 41(1): 258-262. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.10.013

41. Chou L-S. Medio-lateral motion of the center of mass during obstacle crossing distinguishes elderly individuals with imbalance. Gait & posture. 2003; 18(3): 125-133. doi: 10.1016/S0966-6362(02)00067-X

42. Marone JR, Patel PB, Hurt CP, et al. Frontal plane margin of stability is increased during texting while walking. Gait & Posture. 2014; 40(1): 243-246. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.04.188

43. Kao PC, Higginson CI, Seymour K, et al. Walking stability during cell phone use in healthy adults. Gait & Posture. 2015; 41(4): 947-953. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2015.03.347

44. Cuevas-Trisan R. Balance Problems and Fall Risks in the Elderly. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine. 2019; 35(2): 173-183. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2019.01.008

Published
2024-09-11
How to Cite
Qu, Q., Wu, C., Xu, Y., Lu, Y., Zhang, J., & Kim, S. (2024). Effects of mobile phone task engagement on gait and dynamic stability during stair ascent and descent. Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, 21, 243. https://doi.org/10.62617/mcb.v21.243
Section
Article