Page 84 - JSOM Spring 2020

TABLE 3 Motor and Cognitive Performance Under a Multitask Paradigm Compared to/With Respect to Performance Under a Single-Task
Paradigm
MULTITASK PERFORMANCE
Better Poorer No Difference Not Reported
Study (Year) Motor Cognitive Motor Cognitive Motor Cognitive Motor Cognitive
Barron and Rose (2017) * X X
41
39
Bermejo et al. (2018) X X
42
Brown et al. (2014) X X X
Hardy and Mitrovich (2008) X X
43
Honzel et al. (2014) * X X X
44
Kerick et al. (2007) X X X
46
Kerick and Allender (2004) X X
45
47
Leland et al. (2017) X X
Raisbeck et al. (2016) X X X
48
Robitaille et al. (2017) X X
40
Scribner and Harper (2001) X X
3
Scribner (2002) X X
17
Scribner et al. (2007) X X
18
Seymore et al. (2017) X X X
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*A motor task was not included in the paradigm.
be suitable to investigate across both military and civilian tac- single-task assessment; therefore, differences in cognitive per-
tical athlete populations, but some occupational demands may formance could not be evaluated while under a multitask par-
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differ between groups which should be further investigated adigm. Although motor performance is critical to evaluate
for comprehensive understanding of performance relative to for tactical athletes, cognitive performance holds equal value
a tactical athlete’s mission. It should also be noted that eight in a tactical athlete’s capabilities in an operational setting. Ad-
of the studies used only male participants 3,17,18,39,42,45,46,49 and ditionally, task difficulty should be taken into account when
none of the studies reported results based on sex. 39,41,43,44,47,48 evaluating multitask and single-task performance. For ex-
This highlights a significant limitation in the current literature ample, double-limb balance during static shooting may elicit
where both motor and cognitive performance under single- less motor or cognitive stress than shooting while moving or
and multitask paradigms should strongly examine whether walking. Less demanding tasks may be more appropriate for
differences exist between male and female tactical athletes. If tactical athletes following injury where excessive motor or
performance differences exist, these may suggest gaps in train- cognitive stress could discourage the athlete or hinder rehabil-
ing specificity rather than inherent barriers between male and itation progress. As capabilities of a tactical athlete improve,
female operators. 50 multitask paradigms could increase in difficulty to challenge
the system and more appropriately prepare the individual for
A significant component of multitask paradigms is exploring return-to-duty or activity.
how performance of each task is different when completed
independently and concurrently with other tasks. To report Motor and cognitive assessments are an integral part of per-
these differences, a given task must be performed under both formance evaluations to train, prepare, and rehabilitate tacti-
single- and multitask paradigms. Only three studies included cal athletes ranging from cadets to veterans. To the authors’
in this review subjected participants to perform all tasks un- knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review to focus
der a single-task paradigm. 41,44,45 Although one task may be of on tactical athlete multitask performance as it compares to
greater interest in an investigation or outcome, it is essential single-task paradigms. As occupational duties become in-
to investigate all aspects of a multitask paradigm to provide creasingly demanding, it is crucial to modify and adapt per-
a comprehensive report on performance characteristics and formance assessments to meet the operational demands of
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areas to target improvement. For example, Seymore et al. tactical athletes. Moreover, veterans of occupational duties re-
instructed participants to complete a single-leg cutting ma- quire more advanced assessments to identify and rehabilitate
neuver independently (anticipated) and concurrently while injuries or deficits that may have otherwise been unidentified
responding to a light stimulus (unanticipated). Additionally, in traditional assessments. To meet the modern demands of
participants completed the anticipated and unanticipated tactical athletes, multitask paradigms that include both mo-
single-leg cutting maneuver while concurrently performing a tor and cognitive tasks should be investigated to understand
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serial subtraction task. Only the anticipated single-leg cut- fundamental performance under these environments to better
ting task was completed under single-task while responding translate training and rehabilitation programs.
to the light stimulus (without cutting) and the arithmetic
tasks were not completed under single-task. The single-leg The limited number of articles included in this review high-
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cutting maneuver was subjected to two multitask paradigms lights a gap in current research regarding tactical athlete
and therefore motor performance differences could be ana- performance under multitask paradigms as it compares to
lyzed across several evaluations to understand how single-leg single-task paradigms. These personnel perform occupa-
cutting maneuver biomechanics are influenced by a cognitive tional demands under multitask scenarios to effectively exe-
load. Cognitive performance, however, was not subjected to cute mission or task objectives. It is essential to understand
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78 | JSOM Volume 20, Edition 1 / Spring 2020