Can Driving-Simulator Training Enhance Visual Attention, Cognition, and Physical Functioning in Older Adults?
Virtual reality offers a good possibility for the implementation of real-life tasks in a laboratory-based training or testing scenario. Thus, a computerized training in a driving simulator offers an ecological valid training approach. Visual attention had an influence on driving performance, so we u...
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/7547631 |
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doaj-8f6f30ddf94c4db68a39216df44ad1542020-11-25T02:21:03ZengHindawi LimitedJournal of Aging Research2090-22042090-22122018-01-01201810.1155/2018/75476317547631Can Driving-Simulator Training Enhance Visual Attention, Cognition, and Physical Functioning in Older Adults?Mathias Haeger0Otmar Bock1Daniel Memmert2Stefanie Hüttermann3Institute of Physiology and Anatomy, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, GermanyInstitute of Physiology and Anatomy, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, GermanyInstitute of Training and Computer Science in Sport, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, GermanyInstitute of Training and Computer Science in Sport, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, GermanyVirtual reality offers a good possibility for the implementation of real-life tasks in a laboratory-based training or testing scenario. Thus, a computerized training in a driving simulator offers an ecological valid training approach. Visual attention had an influence on driving performance, so we used the reverse approach to test the influence of a driving training on visual attention and executive functions. Thirty-seven healthy older participants (mean age: 71.46 ± 4.09; gender: 17 men and 20 women) took part in our controlled experimental study. We examined transfer effects from a four-week driving training (three times per week) on visual attention, executive function, and motor skill. Effects were analyzed using an analysis of variance with repeated measurements. Therefore, main factors were group and time to show training-related benefits of our intervention. Results revealed improvements for the intervention group in divided visual attention; however, there were benefits neither in the other cognitive domains nor in the additional motor task. Thus, there are no broad training-induced transfer effects from such an ecologically valid training regime. This lack of findings could be addressed to insufficient training intensities or a participant-induced bias following the cancelled randomization process.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/7547631 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Mathias Haeger Otmar Bock Daniel Memmert Stefanie Hüttermann |
spellingShingle |
Mathias Haeger Otmar Bock Daniel Memmert Stefanie Hüttermann Can Driving-Simulator Training Enhance Visual Attention, Cognition, and Physical Functioning in Older Adults? Journal of Aging Research |
author_facet |
Mathias Haeger Otmar Bock Daniel Memmert Stefanie Hüttermann |
author_sort |
Mathias Haeger |
title |
Can Driving-Simulator Training Enhance Visual Attention, Cognition, and Physical Functioning in Older Adults? |
title_short |
Can Driving-Simulator Training Enhance Visual Attention, Cognition, and Physical Functioning in Older Adults? |
title_full |
Can Driving-Simulator Training Enhance Visual Attention, Cognition, and Physical Functioning in Older Adults? |
title_fullStr |
Can Driving-Simulator Training Enhance Visual Attention, Cognition, and Physical Functioning in Older Adults? |
title_full_unstemmed |
Can Driving-Simulator Training Enhance Visual Attention, Cognition, and Physical Functioning in Older Adults? |
title_sort |
can driving-simulator training enhance visual attention, cognition, and physical functioning in older adults? |
publisher |
Hindawi Limited |
series |
Journal of Aging Research |
issn |
2090-2204 2090-2212 |
publishDate |
2018-01-01 |
description |
Virtual reality offers a good possibility for the implementation of real-life tasks in a laboratory-based training or testing scenario. Thus, a computerized training in a driving simulator offers an ecological valid training approach. Visual attention had an influence on driving performance, so we used the reverse approach to test the influence of a driving training on visual attention and executive functions. Thirty-seven healthy older participants (mean age: 71.46 ± 4.09; gender: 17 men and 20 women) took part in our controlled experimental study. We examined transfer effects from a four-week driving training (three times per week) on visual attention, executive function, and motor skill. Effects were analyzed using an analysis of variance with repeated measurements. Therefore, main factors were group and time to show training-related benefits of our intervention. Results revealed improvements for the intervention group in divided visual attention; however, there were benefits neither in the other cognitive domains nor in the additional motor task. Thus, there are no broad training-induced transfer effects from such an ecologically valid training regime. This lack of findings could be addressed to insufficient training intensities or a participant-induced bias following the cancelled randomization process. |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/7547631 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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