Have Fun
In order to gain the brain benefits associated with TASK DRIVEN EXERCISE, cuing it is of critical importance. By sequencing and stacking cues correctly we can create novel tasks for our clients to complete.
Thus, the element of play is realized and the physical motions and movements are now reactionary elements to the task driven goal.
Using cues
Auditory, Visual, Kinesthetic
Auditory - adding in a verbal cue or a clap with varied intervals can keep a client alert and engaged in the task. Take away the visual by standing behind the client and the the attention becomes more focused on auditory.
Visual - great for athletes needing hand- eye coordination. Vary the rate of the cue and you can increase processing speed.
Kinesthetic - often under trained, but by adding a tactile cue you can increase process speed and increase brain-body awareness.
Task Driven Exercise and Play
Have Fun
Your brain and exercise
It is no secret about how good exercise is for your physical health, but research has shown a substantial benefit to your brain when partaking in Task Driven Exercise.
Requirements for Task Driven Exercise
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- Goals
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- Rules
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- External Cues
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- Skillful Challenge
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- Targets
By creating tasks and implementing play into programming, cognitive benefits can include, faster reaction time, faster processing speed, and boosts in focused attention.
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3rd Principle
Task Driven Exercise and Play
Have Fun
External Stimuli - Cuing
When cuing clients, be sure to use external cues (ex: a target or desired action). Cues should be clear and simple.
Play happens when rules are created and a task needs to be completed with the introduction of external stimuli. These can be auditory, visual, or kinesthetic.
You can manipulate the stimuli to authenticate sport or to increase cognitive load.
It’s important to remember the more stimuli you add, the heavier the load, and therefore the task should be shorter in duration.
