THE GOALKEEPING GAME AS A TOOL FOR PREDICTING THE DECLINE OF AUTOMATICITY OF GAIT IN THE ELDERLY

• Grant number: 24/15841-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Maria Elisa Pimentel Piemonte
• Grantee: Rauisa Gonçalves de Macena
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07699-0 - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics - NeuroMat, AP.CEPID

Abstract

As a result of aging, several body systems undergo modifications. Among the changes in the motor system, the decline in engine efficiency control of gait and balance, resulting in reduced independence,increased risk of falls and impact on quality of life. These changes will increase in dual-task (DT) conditions, i.e., conditions that require division of attention between the motor demand and another concomitant task, common in situations real life. Among the cognitive changes, a decline in the efficiency of the system is observed of learning and implicit memory, responsible for the automatic control of movements. Although the association between cognitive and gait changes is known, little is known about the relationship between deficits in implicit learning and automatic gear control. The Goalkeeper's Game (JG), computerized game built to evaluate the probabilistic learning implied by CEPID NeuroMat, showed predictive power for gait changes in complex conditions in the elderly with Parkinson's disease. Considering the game's potential for wide clinical application, new studies should evaluate its predictive power for the decline in automaticity of gait in the elderly.