Strobach, T. 1 , Frensch, P. A. 2 , Müller, H. 1 & Schubert, T. 1, 2
1 Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany
2 Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany
It has been shown for younger adults that practicing two simultaneously presented tasks leads to improved dual-task performance. One mechanism for this improvement is the acquisition of task coordination skills for optimized control of two concurrent task streams. In particular, these skills are acquired during dual-task practice but not during practice of two separate tasks in single-task situations. So far, however, it is unclear whether older adults are also able to improve their dual-task performance and whether the acquisition of task coordination skills during dual-task practice denotes one mechanism for this improvement in this aging group. Therefore, we investigated the dual-task performance after dual-task practice or single-task practice in younger and older adults. A larger improvement of dual-task performance after dual-task contrasted with single-task practice indicates the acquisition of task coordination skills. Our data are consistent with this assumption in groups of younger adults as well as older adults. Thus, both aging groups improve their dual-task performance during practice and this improvement is related to the acquisition of task coordination skills. Further, our findings indicate that the amount of the practice-related improvement of dual-task performance due these acquired skills is similar in both groups.