Performance of an attention-demanding task during treadmill walking shifts the noise qualities of step-to-step variation in step width.

Background: The fractal scaling evident in the step-to-step fluctuations of stepping-related time series reflects, to some degree, neuromotor noise.

Research Question: The primary purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the fractal scaling of step width, step width and step width variability are affected by performance of an attention-demanding task. We hypothesized that the attention-demanding task would shift the structure of the step width time series toward white, uncorrelated noise.

Social media interruption affects the acquisition of visually, not aurally, acquired information during a pathophysiology lecture.

Poor academic performance from extensive social media usage appears to be due to students' inability to multitask between distractions and academic work. However, the degree to which visually distracted students can acquire lecture information presented aurally is unknown. This study examined the ability of students visually distracted by social media to acquire information presented during a voice-over PowerPoint lecture, and to compare performance on examination questions derived from information presented aurally vs.

Learning style versus time spent studying and career choice: Which is associated with success in a combined undergraduate anatomy and physiology course?

The VARK learning style is a pedagogical focus in health care education. This study examines relationships of course performance vs. VARK learning preference, study time, and career plan among students enrolled in an undergraduate anatomy and physiology course at a large urban university.

Frontal plane margin of stability is increased during texting while walking.

Injurious falls associated with cell phone use during ambulation are increasingly common. Studies examining texting while walking suggest this task alters the attentional component of walking to the extent that safety may be compromised. Here, we quantified the extent to which frontal plane dynamic stability while walking was affected by the cognitive and physical demands of texting.

Clay modeling versus written modules as effective interventions in understanding human anatomy.

The effectiveness of clay modeling to written modules is examined to determine the degree of improvement in learning and retention of anatomical 3D relationships among students with different learning preferences. Thirty-nine undergraduate students enrolled in a cadaver dissection course completed a pre-assessment examination and the VARK questionnaire, classifying learning preference as visual, auditory, read/write, or kinesthetic. Students were divided into clay, module, and control groups with preference for learning style distributed among groups.

Fear of falling does not alter the kinematics of recovery from an induced trip: a preliminary study.

Objective: To provide preliminary information about the relationships between self-reported fear of falling (FOF) in healthy community-dwelling women, number of falls, and recovery kinematics in response to a laboratory-induced trip.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Clinical research laboratory.

Modifiable performance domain risk-factors associated with slip-related falls.

Falls are a major source of injury in older adults. Many falls occur after slipping. This study determined performance-related factors that both contribute to slip-related falls and that may be effectively and efficiently modified through targeted intervention.

Trunk kinematics and fall risk of older adults: translating biomechanical results to the clinic.

This paper reviews some of our experiences over nearly 15 years of trying to determine modifiable factors that contribute to the high incidence of fall by older adults. As part of our approach, we have subjected healthy young and older adults to very large postural disturbances during locomotion, in the form of trips and slips, to which rapid compensatory responses have been necessary to avoid falling. For both trips and slips, the ability to limit trunk motion has consistently discriminated older adults who fall from both younger adults and older adults who have been able to avoid falling.