The effects of cognitive-motor interference on walking performance in adolescents with low balance.

Background: Children with reduced motor competence (MC) have reported differences in their walking performance when compared to their typically developed peers, albeit, with inconsistent results.

Research questions: What is the effect of reduced balance on walking performance in adolescent boys and girls under cognitive-motor interference conditions?

Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed motor competence, in adolescents aged 13-14 years, using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2nd edition and walking performance from gait parameters derived from an inertial measurement unit placed over the estimated centre of mass. Each participant performed two 10 m straight-line walks at their self-selected speed. These consisted of a walk with no distractions and a cognitive-motor interference walk (reciting the alternate letters of the alphabet out loud). A two-way mixed ANOVA was used to assess for significant interactions.

Results: 365 adolescents, (low balance = 58, typical balance = 307) participated in this study (boys = 204, girls = 161). Significant interactions were reported between MC groups and walking condition for walking speed in boys (F_(1,195) = 5.23, p= 0.02, η_p² = 0.03) and girls (F_(1,154) = 4.05, p= 0.046, η_p² = 0.03). Both sexes with low balance reduced their walking speed to a greater extent than their typically developed peers under cognitive-motor interference conditions compared to the single-task walk. In addition, boys with low balance reported increased stride length variability (F_(1,198)= 4.40, p= 0.037, η_p²= 0.02) compared to typically developed peers.

Significance: Adolescents with low balance report altered walking. Our data could support a better understanding of the relationship between balance and gait and may help the development of interventions to support those with difficulties.