Measurement errors mimic cognitive deficits

This hypothesis asks whether apparent thinking problems during walking and posture changes come from the test itself rather than a real loss of cognition. A cue may reach the eyes at the wrong moment, a button press may be harder during a step, and body motion may distort physiological sensors. The study would keep each person's walking amount constant while changing the response method, cue timing within the gait cycle, meaning one full step pattern, and whether the person is moving. Verified cue delivery, equal sampling across gait phases, response-free learning, and later recognition while seated should erase the timing effect. Persistent deficits would make measurement error an insufficient explanation.