Peter Wilson, professor of psychology at the Australian Catholic University said Talk about decreased ability to multitask in childhood and old age. Middle-aged people are the best at multitasking.
The psychologist explained that two or more tasks performed simultaneously often “compete” for common neural pathways in the brain. In particular, the analysis and decision-making centers of the frontal lobe are used to perform both motor and cognitive tasks. The more tasks that depend on the same sensory system (e.g. vision), the greater the load.
Brain patterns and experience give adults the ability to multitask more than children. Larger prefrontal cortex volume helps distribute cognitive resources across multiple tasks. Additionally, the nerve fiber plexus (corpus callosum) that connects the brain’s two hemispheres takes a long time to fully mature, placing limits on how effectively children can multitask.
Older people’s ability to multitask decreases. This regression becomes noticeable while walking. This motor task, performed simultaneously with a cognitive task (speech), puts pressure on the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for complex thinking and behavior. “Competition” for shared neural pathways results in slower steps and less stability.
It is stated that multitasking ability can be improved. Older adults can exercise using a stationary bike while reading a grocery list or playing word games.
Previously found The relationship between restless sleep and dementia.