Age Correlates of Navigation on a Gamified task

Navigation is a complex cognitive function that requires the coordination of various processes such as visual perception, spatial orientation, spatial learning, working memory, and executive function. Neuroimaging research suggests that the neural systems responsible for spatial navigation become susceptible to the effects of ageing between the fifth and sixth decade of life, causing the onset of anatomical and functional changes. These changes are marked by behavioural manifestations of decline, with older participants showing deficits in accuracy, speed, and overall cognitive flexibility during navigational tasks. In order to improve understandings of ageing and navigational function, this study aims to identify age-related behavioural correlates of navigation using a gamified task. The task will consist of four blocks of 30 rapid trials in order to develop performance trajectories for each participant. In addition to this behavioural measure of navigation, subjective ratings of navigational ability will also be analysed to assess the predictive power of self-reports. The research aims of this study are; 1. To explore the association between age and navigational ability on a gamified task using the measures; number of successful trials, path length, speed, number of latent periods, and duration of latent periods. 2. To analyse how age influences performance improvement throughout the navigation task. 3. To examine associations between age, subjective ratings of navigational ability, and objective performance on a navigation task. Researchers expect to observe a negative association between chronological age and navigational performance, with accuracy, efficiency, and performance improvement throughout the task reducing with age. In regards to the subjective ratings, a similar relationship is expected between chronological age and ratings, with sense of direction scores reducing with age.