Memory impairment during a climbing traverse: implications for search and rescue climbing

Abstract

Cognitive resource limitations can impair one's ability to multitask. Previous research has shown that climbing is a particularly demanding task, and does not neatly fit into existing cognitive resource models. Climbing is a task relevant to firefighting and search and rescue, and operators often must also handle communication and navigation tasks in tandem. We present the results of a study where a naturalistic narrative memory task was paired with a climbing traverse. As hypothesized, both climbing and memory performance significantly declined in the dualcompared to each single-task condition. The specific cognitive demands of climbing should be explored further using non-verbal secondary tasks, to determine whether an executive resource bottleneck, verbal resource demand, or something else entirely can better explain the dual-task interference. A more thorough understanding of the mental demand in concurrent operational tasks can be used to tailor the modality and timing or diversion of certain tasks for minimal interference.

Physical Exercise Intensity During Submersion Selectively Affects Executive Functions

“…The influence of exercise on human physiology also depends on the mode of exercise, muscle involvement, and possibly changed body position (Labourne & Tomporowski, 2010). The combined effects of PE and the additional physiological (e.g., ambient pressure, submersion, body position, temperatures) or psychological (e.g., stress or fear of falling) demands of extreme environments on cognitive performance have already been investigated (Epling, Blakely, Edgar, Russell, & Helton, 2018; Stets & Helton, 2018; Yan, 2014). As such, fast processing speeds, decision-making abilities, and flexible behaviors are of high relevance to human safety and success if PE is paired with work conducted in extreme environments that require efficient adaption (e.g., while underwater or during prolonged episodes of microgravity; Martin et al, 2019).…”

“…Although there are controversial debates about these effects, the general consensus is that acute/moderate PE tends to have a positive effect on cognition in regard to measurements taken during or directly after PE (Chang & Etnier, 2009; Chang et al, 2012). Given the relevance of cognitive performance for mission success and safety in extreme environments or situations (Epling et al, 2018; Stets & Helton, 2018; Yan, 2014), further contextual investigation is needed to determine the influence of PE on cognitive functions (Martin et al, 2019). This is especially relevant in critical and non-routinized situations that require quick decision making and when individuals are exposed to high physical workloads.…”

Dual-Task Interference Between Swimming and Verbal Memory

“…More recently, researchers have begun to use more naturalistic physical tasks (Blakely, Kemp, & Helton, 2016; Darling & Helton, 2014; Epling, Blakely, Edgar, Russell, & Helton, 2018; Epling, Blakely, Russell, & Helton, 2016; Green, Draper, & Helton, 2014; Green & Helton, 2011; Helton, Green, & de Joux, 2013). Regarding the dual-task interference between cognitively demanding tasks and physically demanding tasks, these studies have found substantial interference between word-free recall and both running over natural terrain and climbing performance.…”

Real Life Does Not Always Get in the Way: Verbal Memory and the Sustained Attention to Response Task

“…It is worth noting that the verbal memory task used in both studies above required participants listen to and later freely recall a list of discrete, unrelated words, which has minimal ecological validity. In response to a similar problem in their own research, Epling and colleagues developed a narrative memory task, said to be more applicable to real world demands (Epling, Blakely, Edgar, Russell, & Helton 2018;2019). Unlike a free recall task, understanding verbal cues from an individual's surroundings or remembering the gist of a conversation could be very important in real-world situations (Epling, Blakely, et al, 2018): poor comprehension or failed memory of a situation or conversation can lead to accidents or mistakes (Edgar & Edgar 2007).…”

“…All rights reserved. 10.1177/1071181320641056 conversation could be very important in real-world situations (Epling, Blakely, et al, 2018): poor comprehension or failed memory of a situation or conversation can lead to accidents or mistakes (Edgar & Edgar 2007).…”