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Background: Attention, the information processing resource is limited and two tasks sharing the resource if performed simultaneously, lead to deterioration in task performance. A high incidence rate of sport-related lower extremity (LE) injuries results in substantial morbidity, economic burden, and risk of reinjury. LE injuries occur in a visually dense sports environment that necessitates visual attention. The study aimed to examine the influence of visual attention on dynamic motor task performance using a sports-relevant visual attention task, the Multiple Object Tracking (MOT) and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), an injury risk screening test. The deterioration in dynamic motor task performance would indicate that the tasks share the resource, and the attention may be a factor associated with injury risk.
Methods: A total of 24 participants (15 females, (Mean± SD), Age: 22.91± 3.59, Height:1.64 ± 3.59, BMI: 22.96 ± 3.14) were recruited for this study. The SEBT was performed under two conditions: (a) without MOT; (b) with MOT. The MOT was performed under two conditions: (a) without SEBT (b) with SEBT. Composite reach distance and Knee flexion at maximal reach were SEBT performance measures, and Percent correct was MOT performance measure. Composite reach distance and Percent correct across two conditions were analyzed using a paired t-test. The Knee flexion at maximal reach was analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA.
Results: A significant deterioration was found for the Composite reach distance performance compared to single-task SEBT performance (p < 0.001). Significant deterioration was found for the Knee flexion at maximal reach during dual-task SEBT performance compared to single-task SEBT performance (p < 0.001). There was a significant deterioration in Percent correct during dual-task MOT performance compared to single-task condition (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The deterioration in dynamic motor task performance, visual attention task performance, and knee kinematics indicate that dynamic motor task and visual attention task share attentional resources. The study underscores the importance of testing the influence of visual attention tasks on dynamic motor task performance, especially for individuals involved in attention-demanding sports environments.