Tarefas de interferência têm efeitos similar sobre o tempo de reação de jovens e idosos independentes

Abstract

In the daily routine we are increasingly exposed to performing simultaneous tasks. In these situations we say there is interference of a task over another. Aging and the complexity of interference task can impair reaction time, understood as the interval between a stimulus and the response to this. To analyze the effects of interference tasks on the youth reaction time and independent elderly. Participated this study, 27 young with an average age of 25.84 ± 8.22 years old and 27 elderly with a mean age of 76.62 ± 5.40 years old. The reaction time was evaluated in the simple condition, performing countdown aloud, from the number 30, and listening to music. To calculate the reaction time they receive a visual stimulus on the computer screen the subjects should press, as soon as possible, the keyboard. Results: Young and eldery differ in reaction time for 3 conditions. The effects of interference tasks were similar between the two groups. The reaction time is impaired for counting task. An interference task that requires attention, as the task of counting, negatively affects reaction time performance in young and elderly, while listening to music passively had no effect on reaction time. These results can serve as a basis for motor and cognitive activities in movement therapy or rehabilitation in the elderly.