Response Time Adjustment in the Stop Signal Task: Development in Children and Adolescents

Adjusting speed to maintain fast and accurate performance is critical to goal-directed behavior. This study examined development of response time adjustments in the stop signal task in 13,709 individuals aged 6–17 years (49.0% Caucasian) across four trial types: correct and incorrect go, successful (stop-inhibit), and failed (stop-respond) trials. People sped more after correct than incorrect go responses and slowed more after failed than successful stop trials. Greater slowing after stop-respond but less slowing after stop-inhibit trials was associated with better response inhibition. Response time adjustments were evident in children as young as age 6, developed throughout childhood, and plateaued by age 10. Results were consistent with the predictions of the error detection and shifting goal priority hypotheses for adjustments.     

Noise-enhanced dynamic single leg balance in subjects with functional ankle instability

BackgroundStochastic resonance stimulation (SRS) transmits subsensory electrical Gaussian white noise into the body to enhance sensorimotor function. This therapy has improved static single leg balance in subjects with functional ankle instability. However, the effect of this stimulation on dynamic single leg balance is not known. Improvements in dynamic single leg balance with SRS may have implications for enhancing functional rehabilitation for ankle instability. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of SRS on dynamic single leg balance in subjects with functional ankle instability.MethodsThis study was an experimental research design and data were collected in a sports medicine research laboratory. Twelve subjects with functional ankle instability (69 ± 15 kg; 173 ± 10 cm; 21 ± 2 years) reported a history of ankle sprains and instability at the ankle with physical activity. A single leg jump-landing test was used to assess dynamic balance. Subjects were required to jump between 50% and 55% of the maximal vertical jump height, land on a single leg atop a force plate, and stabilize as quickly as possible. Jump-landing tests were performed with and without SRS. Three trials were performed for each treatment condition (SRS and control). A randomized block design was used to determine test order. Anterior/posterior and medial/lateral time-to-stabilization were computed to assess dynamic balance. Lesser time indicated better stability. One-tailed paired samples t tests were used for analysis (α ≤ 0.05).ResultsSRS improved anterior/posterior time-to-stabilization (stochastic resonance = 1.32 ± 0.31 s, control = 1.74 ± 0.80 s, p = 0.03), but did not enhance medial/lateral time-to-stabilization (stochastic resonance = 1.95 ± 0.40 s, control = 1.92 ± 0.48 s, p = 0.07).ConclusionClinicians might use SRS to facilitate balance improvements with sagittal plane dynamic single leg balance exercises that patients may not be able to perform otherwise.