Page 81 - JSOM Spring 2020

one implemented both dual-task and multitask paradigms. Both studies that reported better cognitive performance under
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Only three of the studies subjected participants to perform all multitask did not implement a motor task in the testing para-
tasks under a single-task paradigm 41,44,45 while the remainder digm. 41,44 Of the seven studies that reported poorer cognitive
of the studies did not have participants perform all tasks under performance under multitask, one also reported poorer motor
a single-task paradigm. 3,17,18,39,40,42,43,46–49 Multitask paradigms performance, one reported no difference in motor perfor-
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consisted of either all cognitive tasks 41,43,44 or a combination of mance.
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motor and cognitive tasks. 17,18,39,40,42,45–49
Discussion
Motor Tasks
A variety of motor tasks were completed under multitask par- The articles included in this review highlight the great strides
adigms within the studies selected for this review. 3,17,18,39,42,45–49 already made in exploring how tactical athletes perform un-
Shooting or weapon engagement tasks 3,17,18,39,45,46,48 and walk- der multitask paradigms with both motor and cognitive as-
ing 40,47 were the most common motor tasks. Two studies sessments. Although these studies have provided substantial
implemented postural control or balance tasks 39,47 in their information on movement as well as cognitive processing
multitask assessment. Visual tracking of an object (i.e., visuo- abilities for tactical athletes, multitask paradigms for this pop-
motor task) 41,43 and a single-leg cut maneuver 42,49 were also ulation warrant further investigation. Multitask paradigms
included in the review. implemented in these studies have shown inconsistent reports
of performance differences between single-task and multi-
Cognitive Tasks task assessments, likely due to the wide range of motor and
The most common cognitive assessments implemented in a cognitive assessments used or organization of the multitask
multitask paradigm were performance of arithmetic prob- paradigm. These findings do not support the hypothesis that
lems 3,17,18,41,45,46,49 and decision-making tasks. 3,17,39–42,44–46,48,49 there are consistent differences in cognitive performance under
More specifically, decision-making performance was assessed multitask paradigms where some studies reported no change
via responding to a stimuli (auditory, 41,48 light, 42,49 and visual ) in cognitive performance. 39,44,46 Motor performance, however,
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or responding to a go-no go stimuli (i.e., shoot-no shoot or varied under multitask paradigms which supports the second
friend-foe scenario). 3,17,39,40,45,46 Four of the included studies hypothesis. It is worth noting that it is important to investigate
utilized a memorization task to quantify cognitive perfor- a variety of tasks over several multitask paradigms to gauge a
mance. 3,41,44,47 Only Bermejo et al. used reaction time as a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between task
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measure of cognitive performance under a multitask paradigm. complexity and assessment. This provides a foundation on
which to build and refine multitask assessment depending on
Single-Task vs. Multitask—Motor Performance tactical athlete status, operational duties, or injury.
Motor performance differences between single-task and multi-
task paradigms varied across the studies included in this Despite the range of motor and cognitive tasks included in
review (Table 3). Compared with single-task, two studies re- the review, more operationally relevant motor tasks, such as
ported better motor performance under multitask, 39,49 six re- walking while maintaining weapon aim and load carriage
ported poorer motor performance under multitask, 40,42,43,47–49 (e.g., walking, buddy drag, etc.), should be included in these
and three reported no difference in motor performance under assessments to mimic the operational environment and occu-
multitask. 42,46,48 Four studies did not report motor task per- pational demands of tactical athletes. Cognitive assessments
formance 3,17,18,45 and two did not include a motor task in the spanned a wide spectrum of cognitive processing abilities that
testing paradigm. 41,44 seemed to reflect operationally relevant tasks, such as decision-
making, friend or foe target discrimination, and reaction time.
Of the two studies that reported better motor performance un- Although some of the tasks utilized in the review mimicked
der multitask, one reported no difference in cognitive perfor- operational environments, many of the tasks were those that
mance while the other did not report cognitive performance. are regularly performed by nontactical athletes (e.g., walking,
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Five of the six studies that reported poorer motor performance static balance, reaction time, etc.). While these provide funda-
under multitask compared with single-task did not report cog- mental performance characteristics of tactical athletes, further
nitive performance. 40,42,43,48,49 One study that reported poorer research should be conducted to determine or gauge perfor-
motor performance under multitask also reported poorer mance of tactical athletes against nontactical athletes. Ideally,
cognitive performance under multitask. Three reported no tactical athletes should be more accurate in target engagement
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difference in motor performance under multitask, 42,46,48 where tasks and be able to carry heavier masses for longer durations
two of these studies did not report cognitive performance. 42,48 than nontactical athletes or civilians. But, to quantify the de-
The third study reported both decrements and no difference in gree of performance differences, these groups must complete
cognitive performance under multitask. 46 the same tasks under the same conditions to set standards of
performance relative to other tactical athletes.
Single-Task vs. Multitask—Cognitive Performance
Similar to motor tasks, cognitive performance differences be- Raisbeck et al. was the only study included in the review
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tween single-task and multitask paradigms varied across the that used law enforcement personnel while all other studies
included studies (Table 3). Compared with single-task, two used military personnel, including cadets, 41,43 veterans, 44,47 and
studies reported better cognitive performance under multi- soldiers. 3,17,18,39,45,46 Although there are some similarities in
task, 41,44 seven studies reported poorer cognitive performance occupational demands between military and civilian tactical
under multitask, 3,17,18,41,44,46,47 and three studies reported no athletes, this review has highlighted a lack of research on law
difference in cognitive performance under multitask. 39,44,46 Six enforcement motor and cognitive performance under multi-
studies implemented a cognitive task in the testing paradigm task paradigms. Fundamental demands of tactical athletes,
but did not report cognitive performance. 40,42,43,45,48,49 such as static shooting, load carriage, and reaction time, may

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