The role of gender in the association between personality and task priority in older adults’ dual-tasking while walking

Abstract Background Falls are a major problem for older adults. Many falls occur when a person’s attention is divided between two tasks, such as a dual task (DT) involving walking. Most recently, the role of personality in walking performance was addressed; however, its association with DT performan...

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Main Authors: Maayan Agmon, Galit Armon, Shani Denesh, Mihalis Doumas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-01-01
Series:BMC Geriatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12877-017-0691-1
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author Maayan Agmon
Galit Armon
Shani Denesh
Mihalis Doumas
author_facet Maayan Agmon
Galit Armon
Shani Denesh
Mihalis Doumas
author_sort Maayan Agmon
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Falls are a major problem for older adults. Many falls occur when a person’s attention is divided between two tasks, such as a dual task (DT) involving walking. Most recently, the role of personality in walking performance was addressed; however, its association with DT performance remains to be determined. Methods This cross-sectional study of 73 older, community-dwelling adults explores the association between personality and DT walking and the role of gender in this relationship. Personality was evaluated using the five-factor model. Single-task (ST) and DT assessment of walking-cognitive DT performance comprised a 1-min walking task and an arithmetic task performed separately (ST) and concurrently (DT). Dual-task costs (DTCs), reflecting the proportional difference between ST and DT performance, were also calculated. Results Gender plays a role in the relationship between personality and DT. Extraversion was negatively associated with DTC-motor for men (ΔR2 = 0.06, p < 0.05). Conscientiousness was positively associated with DTC-cognition for women (ΔR2 = 0.08, p < 0.01). Conclusion These findings may lead to effective personality-based early detection and intervention for fall prevention.
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spelling doaj.art-63c050efb95b4c51bd1a829df0d7776c2022-12-21T22:48:44ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182018-01-011811710.1186/s12877-017-0691-1The role of gender in the association between personality and task priority in older adults’ dual-tasking while walkingMaayan Agmon0Galit Armon1Shani Denesh2Mihalis Doumas3Department of Nursing, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of HaifaDepartment of Psychology, University of HaifaDepartment of Psychology, University of HaifaSchool of Psychology, Queen’s University BelfastAbstract Background Falls are a major problem for older adults. Many falls occur when a person’s attention is divided between two tasks, such as a dual task (DT) involving walking. Most recently, the role of personality in walking performance was addressed; however, its association with DT performance remains to be determined. Methods This cross-sectional study of 73 older, community-dwelling adults explores the association between personality and DT walking and the role of gender in this relationship. Personality was evaluated using the five-factor model. Single-task (ST) and DT assessment of walking-cognitive DT performance comprised a 1-min walking task and an arithmetic task performed separately (ST) and concurrently (DT). Dual-task costs (DTCs), reflecting the proportional difference between ST and DT performance, were also calculated. Results Gender plays a role in the relationship between personality and DT. Extraversion was negatively associated with DTC-motor for men (ΔR2 = 0.06, p < 0.05). Conscientiousness was positively associated with DTC-cognition for women (ΔR2 = 0.08, p < 0.01). Conclusion These findings may lead to effective personality-based early detection and intervention for fall prevention.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12877-017-0691-1PersonalityDual-taskOlder adultsDual-task costExtraversionConscientiousness
spellingShingle Maayan Agmon
Galit Armon
Shani Denesh
Mihalis Doumas
The role of gender in the association between personality and task priority in older adults’ dual-tasking while walking
BMC Geriatrics
Personality
Dual-task
Older adults
Dual-task cost
Extraversion
Conscientiousness
title The role of gender in the association between personality and task priority in older adults’ dual-tasking while walking
title_full The role of gender in the association between personality and task priority in older adults’ dual-tasking while walking
title_fullStr The role of gender in the association between personality and task priority in older adults’ dual-tasking while walking
title_full_unstemmed The role of gender in the association between personality and task priority in older adults’ dual-tasking while walking
title_short The role of gender in the association between personality and task priority in older adults’ dual-tasking while walking
title_sort role of gender in the association between personality and task priority in older adults dual tasking while walking
topic Personality
Dual-task
Older adults
Dual-task cost
Extraversion
Conscientiousness
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12877-017-0691-1
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