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Dual-task interference: Attentional and neurophysiological influences
Citation
Hiraga, CY and Garry, MI and Carson, RG and Summers, JJ, Dual-task interference: Attentional and neurophysiological influences, Behavioural Brain Research: An International Journal, 205, (1) pp. 10-18. ISSN 0166-4328 (2009) [Refereed Article]
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2009.07.019
Abstract
Performing two tasks simultaneously often degrades performance of one or both tasks. While this dual-task interference is classically interpreted in terms of shared attentional resources, where two motor tasks are performed simultaneously interactions within primary motor cortex (i.e., activity-dependent coupling) may also be a contributing factor. In the present study TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) was used to examine the contribution of activity-dependent coupling to dual-task interference during concurrent performance of a bimanual coordination task and a discrete probe reaction time (RT) task involving the foot. Experiments 1 and 2 revealed that activity-dependent coupling within the leg corticomotor pathway was greater during dual-task performance than single-task performance, and this was associated with interference on the probe RT task (i.e., increased RT). Experiment 3 revealed that dual-task interference occurred regardless of whether the dual-task involved two motor tasks or a motor and cognitive task, however activity-dependent coupling was present only when a dual motor task was performed. This suggests that activity-dependent coupling is less detrimental to performance than attentional processes operating upstream of the corticomotor system. Finally, while prioritising the RT task reduced, but did not eliminate, dual-task interference the contribution of activity-dependent coupling to dual-task interference was not affected by task prioritisation. This suggests that although activity-dependent coupling may contribute to dual motor-task interference, attentional processes appear to be more important. It also suggests that activity-dependent coupling may not be subject to modulation by attentional processes. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Research Division: | Health Sciences |
Research Group: | Sports science and exercise |
Research Field: | Motor control |
Objective Division: | Expanding Knowledge |
Objective Group: | Expanding knowledge |
Objective Field: | Expanding knowledge in psychology |
UTAS Author: | Garry, MI (Associate Professor Michael Garry) |
UTAS Author: | Summers, JJ (Professor Jeffery Summers) |
ID Code: | 58016 |
Year Published: | 2009 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 29 |
Deposited By: | Psychology |
Deposited On: | 2009-09-02 |
Last Modified: | 2017-04-11 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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