In this project, we aimed to examine the effects of cognitive load and semantic instructions on walking parameters. The study may help further our understanding on how walking patterns and motor...Show moreIn this project, we aimed to examine the effects of cognitive load and semantic instructions on walking parameters. The study may help further our understanding on how walking patterns and motor actions can be improved, specifically in older healthy adults. This study’s findings may be valuable in developing rehabilitation programmes as post-stroke patients often show changes in walking patterns. A total of 16 healthy adults aged 55-67 years old walked along a 10-m straight runway under various conditions, while walking speed, step length, and step width were measured. The study used a 2x3 repeated measures design resulting in a total of 6 conditions. The first independent variable was cognitive load which contained two levels; single and dual task. The second independent variable was semantic instructions which contained three levels: no instructions, analytical instruction, and metaphoric instruction. The conditions consisted of each type of instruction being paired with each cognitive load level. There was also a baseline condition, in which participants walked with no instructions. This study hypothesised that a higher cognitive load will result in slower walking speeds, shorter steps and wider steps. Moreover, it hypothesised that compared to analytical instruction, metaphorical instruction will lead to walking parameters closer to baseline performance. Additionally, it was hypothesised that an interaction will occur; as cognitive load increases, metaphoric instruction will result in walking parameters closer to baseline performance. Whereas analytical instruction will result in performance closer to baseline with a lower cognitive load. The measures MANOVA showed that the main effects of cognitive load (p < .001) and semantic instruction (p < .001) on walking speed and step length were significant. A significant interaction was found (p < .001) between our two independent variables on walking speed. Specifically, there was an interaction between baseline performance and type of semantic instruction used. When compared to baseline performance, participants walked faster in the single task condition under metaphorical instruction as compared to under analytical instruction. In conclusion these findings suggest that semantic instruction is important to consider when instructing movement as it can result in deterioration or improvement of performance.Show less
When looking at the photobook as medium, it becomes apparent that the photobook has mostly been discussed as a presentation and storage tool but not as a medium of its own. Approaching the...Show moreWhen looking at the photobook as medium, it becomes apparent that the photobook has mostly been discussed as a presentation and storage tool but not as a medium of its own. Approaching the photobook as a medium from a historical perspective, it is interesting that the photobook, when discussed in an academic framework, has been theorized in matter of style and substance, looking at the evolution of the design and content of the photobook, but not in audience experience. At first glance, walking as a physical act and the reader-like walking through a photobook share the superficial characteristic of the possibility of freedom, as both the chosen path through the photobook and through walking is steered by the reader-spectator’s unique personality and life experience, which is not completely controlled by the author-artist and as such can have an unpredictable outcome. In this thesis, I aim to substantiate this claim. The reader-spectator’s hand turning the photobook’s pages are reminiscent of the wanderer’s feet exploring a path. To underline this argument, the act of walking is interpreted as metaphor. Where in an installation or exhibition space the spectator approached the artworks literally through their feet, now the reader-spectator approaches the photobook with their hands. In approaching the reader-spectator experience from this perspective, this research becomes also an investigation of the medium of the photobook.Show less
