Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-20-2026
Abstract
Background
Running in real-world environments often requires using cognitive resources simultaneously with the motor task (dual tasking, DT). Limited existing evidence suggests that DT reduces running speed. Movement variability is essential for a healthy, adaptable motor system. DT has been shown to affect movement variability during walking. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how DT affects spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters and their variability during running.
Research question
Does DT affect spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic measures and their variability during running? Does running speed influence DT effects?
Methods
Thirty-one asymptomatic runners participated in this cross-sectional study. Three-dimensional running biomechanics were recorded while participants ran on a treadmill at three speeds (prefer, slow, and fast) with and without performing easy and hard cognitive tasks. Mean and variability of cadence and step length, as well as peak joint angles and moments in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes associated with running injuries, were exported for analysis.
Results
There were significant DT effects on peak knee adduction and pelvis ipsilateral drop angles. Findings also indicated significant DT effects on stride-to-stride variability of peak hip flexion, extension, and adduction, knee flexion and adduction, ankle plantar flexion, and pelvis ipsilateral drop angles, as well as peak knee abductor and ankle plantar flexor moments. Pairwise comparison revealed that runners exhibited lower variability when simultaneously performing a hard cognitive task than running alone. No significant task-by-speed interaction effect was observed, indicating DT effects were not affected by running speeds.
Significance
Runners demonstrated lower stride-to-stride variability in joint kinematics and kinetics during DT running. This suggests that runners may be less adaptable and thus more susceptible to running injuries under DT conditions. Future evaluation and intervention programs for runners may consider integrating DT condition, which is commonly missing in current practices.
Recommended Citation
Teng H-L, Smith JA, Wu WFW. Dual-task effects on spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters and their variability during running. Gait Posture. 2026;125:110103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2026.110103
Peer Reviewed
1
Copyright
The authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Included in
Exercise Science Commons, Other Kinesiology Commons, Other Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons, Psychology of Movement Commons, Sports Sciences Commons
Comments
This article was originally published in Gait & Posture, volume 125, in 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2026.110103