Grid stepping with loaded reach utilising both single number cue and mixed cues. Variations: Contralateral, Ipsilateral, Mixed Pattern.

Mixed Cues: App cues can be “mixed” with task/environment cues and/or constraints to direct movement. This allows extra flexibility for exercise design and is useful for increasing complexity or adding cognitive load. For example, the Step Over Dual Task uses a Colour cue to direct a particular stepping pattern.

Loaded Step Reach - Contralateral. [0:00]

• 3×3 Grid step with loaded reach.

• Number cue = Corresponding grid marker/number.

• Environment Constraints: Marker distance, load, pace.

• Task Constraints: Contralateral reach pattern, alternating leg step, step and reach to same marker.

Exercise Design Notes: Vipr (weighted tool used in video) allows bilateral loading of upper limbs with single object to help facilitate thoracic rotation, however single hand weights may be used instead. Aim to control deceleration of both step/hinge and reach. Grid pattern used to add variability to stepping task.

Regression/Progression: Range of motion, load, pace, multi-level stepping, multi/mixed cues, add perturbation.

Loaded Step Reach - Ipsilateral. [0:18]

As for contralateral variation, but with ipsilateral reach.

Loaded Step Reach - Mixed Pattern. [0:36]

• 4×3 Grid step with loaded reach.

• Number cue = Corresponding grid marker/number.

• Mixed cue: Marker colour = step reach pattern.

• Environment Constraints: Grid size, marker distance, load (Vipr), pace.

• Task Constraints: Step reach to marker as per Number cue. Step pattern as per colour on corresponding marker:

  • Red Marker: Right Ipsilateral

  • Blue Marker: Left Ipsilateral

  • Yellow Marker: Right Contralateral (R step/L Reach)

  • Green Marker: Left Contralateral (L Step/R Reach)

Exercise Design Notes: Mixed cue design adds significant cognitive load to this loaded step reach variation. Reduce number of step patterns from 4 to 2 if needed.

Regression/Progression: Range of motion, load, pace, multi-level stepping, pattern options, add perturbation.

A Note on Marker Tiles:

Each of the Raefn marker tiles used in this video contain a unique number, colour and shape combination. This allows the markers to be used with mixed cues. In this variation the app cue directs the step reach to a number, and the colour of that tile is then used to direct the step reach pattern. For example, the first repetition cue is the number 2, which is a blue tile - directing a left ipsilateral step reach to that tile. The second repetition cue is the number 5, which is a yellow tile - directing a right contralateral step reach to that tile.

Markers can be home-made to the same design as the Raefn tiles (or any other combination that works with the app cues). Pre-made sets of the Raefn marker tiles can also be purchased via the website.