Comparing Manual and Neurocognitive Skills-While Sitting, Standing, Walking on a Treadmill and Using a Stepper.

Experimental: Healthy Subjects

Healthy subjects will attend the the Active Wellness Office at the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center (DAHLC) at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for four consecutive days. On day one, individuals will use a sitting workstation (control); based on randomization, three active workstations (standing, stepping, or walking stations) will be randomly assigned on the following days (2-4).

Behavioral: Sitting workstation

Subjects will conduct reasoning, memory, concentration, and fine motor skills (neurocognitive function) assessments on a computer station in a seated position.

Behavioral: Standing workstation

Subjects will conduct reasoning, memory, concentration, and fine motor skills (neurocognitive function) assessments on a computer station while standing.

Behavioral: Stepping workstation

Subjects will conduct reasoning, memory, concentration, and fine motor skills (neurocognitive function) assessments on a computer station while utilizing a stepper.

Behavioral: Walking workstation

Subjects will conduct reasoning, memory, concentration, and fine motor skills (neurocognitive function) assessments on a computer station while walking on a treadmill.

Double Trouble Task Score

The Double Trouble Task is a computer based reasoning assessment that evaluates the Stroop effect which relates to the increased difficulty a person has in naming the print color of a word when the text of that word refers to an 'incongruent' color. It evaluates the capacity to inhibit automatic word recognition by selectively focusing the attention to impede the automated access of distracting word information. In the website version, three words appear on the screen, one at the top, and two at the bottom. Subjects click the word at the bottom that matches the color at the top for 90 seconds and 1 point for each correct answer. Higher scores represent better reasoning skills & neurocognitive function.

Grammatical Reasoning Test Score

The Grammatical Reasoning Test is a computer based reasoning assessment that measures the capacity of a person to reason the relationships among different objects and shapes. A statement appears at the top of the screen with two shapes at the bottom. Participants clicked on 'True' or 'False' to indicate whether the sentence accurately described the relationship between the shapes in 90 seconds and participants obtained 1 point for each correct answer. Higher scores represent better reasoning skills & neurocognitive function.

Odd One Out Test Score

The Odd One Out Test is a computer based reasoning assessment which evaluates the person's Intelligence Quotient. It measures fluid intelligence or the capacity to reason abstractly and solve problems. Derived from Raven's and Cattell's intelligence tests. During the test, 9 patterns (color, shape, and number) appeared on the screen; participants chose the pattern (odd one) that differed from the others for 3 minutes and got 1 point for each correct answer. Higher scores represent better reasoning skills & neurocognitive function.

Object Reasoning Task Score

The Object Reasoning Task is a computer based reasoning assessment that evaluates an individual's capability to make logical deductions from a sequence of complex images. Subjects look at 4 panels, 3 at the top and 1 at the bottom. Each panel contained four separate diagrams; subjects decided whether the panel at the bottom was the next in the series or not. It takes 3 minutes and 1 point for each correct answer. Higher scores represent better reasoning skills & neurocognitive function.

Spatial Span Task Score

The Spatial Span Task is a computer based memory assessment that assesses the visuospatial working memory that depends on the unitary short-term memory system. Participants must remember a sequence of flashing boxes and click to the correct order; when they make a mistake the test ends and they have 3 opportunities. When they click in the right order, the following sequence increases difficulty. 4 points are the baseline; for each correct answer subjects get 1 point; if incorrect, they lose points. Higher scores represent better memory skills & neurocognitive function.

Monkey Ladder Task Score

The Monkey Ladder Task is a computer based memory assessment that assesses the visual working memory better developed in chimpanzees than humans. Participants must remember which number appears in specific boxes, after a short period, the numbers disappear and they have to click on the boxes in numerical sequence, after three errors the test ends. 2 points are the baseline. Participants get 1 point for the correct answers; if incorrect, they lose the points earned. Higher scores represent better memory skills & neurocognitive function.

Digit Span Task Score

The Digit Span Task is a computer based memory assessment that evaluates the verbal working memory that allows the temporary storage and manipulation of information. Participants must remember a sequence of numbers by typing them using the keyboard; after typing the correct sequence of numbers, the difficulty increases and after 3 mistakes the test ends. Participants get 1 point for a proper sequence; if incorrect, they lose points. Higher scores represent better memory skills & neurocognitive function.

Paired Associates Task Score

The Paired Associates Task is a computer based memory assessment that assesses the paired-associate learning skills, a mental skill that requires learning to pair two items in memory. When the difficulty increases, several regions in the brain activate. During the task, a set of boxes appear on the screen. The boxes open, one after the other to reveal the figure inside, and subjects must remember and click which figure appears in which box. The difficulty increases in the number of figures after clicking the correct sequence and subjects will have three opportunities. Participants get 1 point for the right answers; if incorrect, they lose the points. Higher scores represent better memory skills & neurocognitive function.

Rotations Task Score

The Rotations Task is a computer based concentration assessment that measures the ability to rotate objects mentally. Two rotated boxes appear on the screen, each filled with red and green squares. Participants click the boxes 'Match' or 'Mismatch' in 90 seconds, if the answer is correct, they get 8 points; if not, they lose the points. Higher scores represent better concentration skills & neurocognitive function.

Feature Match Task Score

The Feature Match Task is a computer based concentration assessment that measures perception, requires concentration and focuses on complex images. Two boxes appear on the screen one at the left and the other to the right, each containing a complex array of abstract shapes. Subjects will click if the figures 'Match' or 'Mismatch' for 90 seconds. If correct, the next problem will be more difficult. The points are given according to the problem's difficulty; they can vary from 1-11and above. Higher scores represent better concentration skills & neurocognitive function.

Polygons Task Score

The Polygons Task Score is a computer based concentration assessment that measures the mental ability to compare complex images. Two overlapping images appear on one side of the monitor, and another figure appears on the other side and contains just one shape. Subjects click 'Match' or 'Mismatch' to indicate if the single figure is identical or different in shape from one of the overlapping figures. Each chance will increase in difficulty. Subjects in 90 seconds will try to score as many points as they can, points per correct answer can vary from 1-6 points and above. Higher scores represent better concentration skills & neurocognitive function.

Typing Test Score

The Typing Test is a computer based fine motor skills assessment. It is measured using the Split Screen Typing Program (Typing Master Inc., Helsinki, Finland). Subjects completed a 3-minute test typing as fast and accurately as they could, the top of the screen showed the text that participants had to type, and the typed text was seen at the bottom of the computer monitor. Participants typed one different script for each station. Typing speed, as well as accuracy represented by number of errors, and adjusted individual typing speed at each workstation were scored. The higher typing speed & accuracy scores (low number of errors) represent better fine motor skills.