The Effect of Age on Gait Speed When Texting

Abstract

Texting while walking exerts a high cognitive load, and may be a sensitive test of the integrity of the cognitive–motor interface. We aimed to investigate the association between chronological age and gait speed while texting. A convenience sample of 308 community-dwellers was recruited: n ≥ 50 in each age group (20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59) and n = 100 aged ≥60 years. Gait speed was measured over 10 metres under two experimental conditions: 1) walking at usual pace; 2) walking at usual pace while texting the message “Good morning Harry” on their smartphone. Both median gait speed with and without texting decreased with increasing age (p < 0.001). The differences between single- and dual-task gait speed were substantial for each age group and increased after the age of 50 years (p < 0.001). Median gait speeds while texting in people aged 50–59 (1.07 m/s) and ≥60 years (1.00 m/s) were below the recommended minimum for safely crossing roads (1.20 m/s). Texting while walking currently exposes people aged 50 and over to considerable environmental hazards. The significant slowing of gait speed while texting from middle age may be a marker of neurodegeneration, a cohort effect, or an appropriate compensatory response to reduce the risk of injury.

Mobile Phone Use during Gait: The Role of Perceived Prioritization and Executive Control

“…Our results are in agreement with the accumulating evidence for the decreases in walking associated with texting in young healthy adults (for a review, see [11]) as well as older populations [1]. Moreover, the current work confirms the previous results showing that texting is associated with increased walking DTC in comparison to reading or looking at the phone [7,23].…”

“…Recent technological developments, specifically the proliferation of mobile phone use among people of all ages, have created an increasing competition for the attentional resources of individuals while walking [1,2]. Indeed, walking while using a mobile phone has been associated with a dramatic increase in pedestrian injury [3][4][5].…”

“…We compared reading and texting variants while walking and measured concurrent (DT) and separate (single-task (ST)) performance of all components: walking (gait speed and variability) and texting or reading (length of text written/read, comprehension). The main objectives of the study were (1) to compare dual-task performance and cost between walking while reading and walking while texting, and (2) to evaluate the relationship between perceived task prioritization, executive control, and dual task performance and cost. We hypothesized that DTCs and gait variability would be larger for texting compared to reading.…”

Does texting while walking affect spatiotemporal gait parameters in healthy adults, older people, and persons with motor or cognitive disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The number of accidents attributable to this dual-task is continuously increasing [5]. Using a smartphone while walking is frequent and a high-risk activity, especially in the presence of advanced age [6] or motor limitations [7]. Young adults (< 30 years), due to the frequency of their smartphone use, and people over 60 years of age, due to their declining postural and cognitive abilities, are at greater risk of trauma than middle-aged adults [8].…”

Risks of Accidents Caused by the Use of Smartphone by Pedestrians Are Task- and Environment-Dependent

“…Previous studies report the risks of using smartphones while walking [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. It appears that dual tasking with a smartphone negatively affects gait in young and old adults [ 9 , 10 ]. However, since young adults are the segment of society that has most appropriated smartphones in their lives, pedestrian injury rates for young adults are much higher than those of old adults [ 11 ].…”