Age-related differences in cognitive and postural dual-task performance.

The present experiment assessed, in children aged 7-11 and in adults, whether postural control is affected by cognitive processes and vice versa. Using a dual-task, the level of difficulty of a Stroop task and bipedal quiet stance varied alternatively. We hypothesised that the interference between cognitive and postural tasks was non-linear during childhood with a so-called turning point around 8. Twenty-seven children 7- to 11-years-old and nine adults participated in the experiments. The postural task was executed in a semi-tandem Romberg position. Two cognitive conditions (congruent and non-congruent Stroop conditions) and two postural situations (with and without perturbed proprioceptive inputs) were presented simultaneously with the instruction to respond as correctly as possible while remaining as stable as possible. Results showed that, in the Vib condition, CoP mean velocity decreased with the increased cognitive complexity only in children aged 7. Moreover, the data showed a non-linear decrease in postural sway during childhood, whatever the level of complexity of the cognitive and/or postural tasks. CoP mean amplitude and mean velocity decreased between 7 and 8, and again between age 11 and adults. This study (1) confirmed that the interference between mental activity and postural control can be attributed mainly to attentional limitations, (2) showed the existence of a turning point around 8 in the development of this capacity, and (3) suggested that the mature level of attentional resources was not reached until age 11. Further research is needed to assess the development of attention implied in a cognitive/postural dual-task, including probably another so-called turning point during the adolescence.