Dual-tasking or Multi-tasking? (2025)

 

In 2014 I wrote the following article but in the past 11 years I have learned more about the brain challenges in multi-tasking and dual-tasking. Therefore, this article has been adjusted to reflect a better understanding.

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"Reaction time" is the time taken for the brain to recognize a need to act plus the time the nervous system takes to send a command to a muscle. "Motor time" is the time the muscle takes to respond to the command. Simple reaction time (one decision to be made) slows by 0.5 milliseconds per year after age 30. Unfortunately, we often need to make more complex decisions.  Add one choice to the decision and the response slows by 1.6 milliseconds/year. A typical fall happens in 400 milliseconds. Not much chance to readjust our position to stop a fall.

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This ties in with the ability to attend to one task while doing another. Doing several things at once requires the brain to switch amongst the various tasks. Computers do this. It is also known as “time slicing”. What we call “multi-tasking” really isn’t doing many tasks together. As we age, our speed of changing attention from one task to another, slows down.

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“Dual-tasking” is something we often need to do. Walking downstairs when someone behind you asks a question is a classic example of dual-tasking with a mental task and a physical action happening together.

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What is known from research is that the brain will always give precedence to the mental task. The physical task needs to be so well rehearsed that it is automatic. As we age, we need to pay more attention to where we place our feet. Dual-tasking leads to more falls as people age.

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The good news is – “both reaction time and dual-tasking improve with practise”; perhaps not to the speed of a 20-year-old, but enough to reduce accidents and falls.  How and where do you get the practice?

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Ideally, doing physical activity that demands reactions and attention. Folk dancing and interactive sports are good examples. Some classes (like Osteofit) deliberately set up situations demanding reactions and dual-tasking as part of the “fall reduction” plan.

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Stand and bounce a ball and you are really doing one physical task. Walk around a room with other people bouncing balls and you are doing many tasks. Walking, bouncing, and avoiding other people all require attention. Now name the days of the week forward and then backwards as you walk, bounce, and avoid collisions. Which task will suffer most? Generally, any smooth control of the physical tasks deteriorates.

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Competitive athletes are trained to focus on what matters most. This skill is trainable. Doing activities that demand dual and multi-tasking in safe places can mean the difference between a stumble where you reach and catch a support, or a fall where bones may be broken. Sitting in a chair won’t do it.

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