Threat-induced changes in attention during tests of static and anticipatory postural control. 2016

Martin Zaback, and Mark G Carpenter, and Allan L Adkin
Balance and Gait Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada; Neural Control of Posture and Movement Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Postural threat, manipulated through changes in surface height, influences postural control. Evidence suggests changes in attention may contribute to this relationship. However, limited research has explored where and how attention is reallocated when threatened. The primary aim of this study was to describe changes in attention when presented with a postural threat, while a secondary aim was to explore associations between changes in attention and postural control. Eighty-two healthy young adults completed tests of static (quiet standing) and anticipatory (rise to toes) postural control under threatening and non-threatening conditions. Participants completed an open-ended questionnaire after each postural task which asked them to list what they thought about or directed their attention toward. Each item listed was assigned a percentage value reflecting how much attention it occupied. Exit interviews were completed to help confirm where attention was directed. Five attention categories were identified: movement processes, threat-relevant stimuli, self-regulatory strategies, task objectives, and task-irrelevant information. For both postural tasks, the percentage values and number of items listed for movement processes, threat-relevant stimuli, and self-regulatory strategies increased under threatening compared to non-threatening conditions, while the percentage values and number of items listed for task objectives and task-irrelevant information decreased. Changes in attention related to movement processes and self-regulatory strategies were associated with changes in static postural control, while changes in attention related to threat-relevant stimuli were associated with changes in anticipatory postural control. These results suggest that threat-induced changes in attention are multidimensional and contribute to changes in postural control.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009068 Movement The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior. Movements
D011187 Posture The position or physical attitude of the body. Postures
D004856 Postural Balance A POSTURE in which an ideal body mass distribution is achieved. Postural balance provides the body carriage stability and conditions for normal functions in stationary position or in movement, such as sitting, standing, or walking. Postural Control,Posture Balance,Posture Control,Posture Equilibrium,Balance, Postural,Musculoskeletal Equilibrium,Postural Equilibrium,Balance, Posture,Control, Postural,Control, Posture,Equilibrium, Musculoskeletal,Equilibrium, Postural,Equilibrium, Posture,Postural Controls,Posture Balances,Posture Controls,Posture Equilibriums
D005239 Fear The affective response to an actual current external danger which subsides with the elimination of the threatening condition. Threat Cues,Threat Sensitivity,Cue, Threat,Fears,Sensitivity, Threat,Threat Cue,Threat Sensitivities
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001288 Attention Focusing on certain aspects of current experience to the exclusion of others. It is the act of heeding or taking notice or concentrating. Focus of Attention,Selective Attention,Social Attention,Attention Focus,Attention, Selective,Attention, Social,Selective Attentions
D055815 Young Adult A person between 19 and 24 years of age. Adult, Young,Adults, Young,Young Adults

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