Effects of a Walking Training With Simultaneous Cognitive Demand (Dual Task) on Physical Fitness and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults

Key Points

• The research aims to evaluate the effects of simultaneous walking and cognitive training on older adults' fitness and cognition.
• 54 participants aged approximately 72 years were divided into two groups: multicomponent walking training and control.
• The training involved walking combined with cognitive tasks for 8 weeks at a frequency of 3 days per week.
• Fitness, gait, and cognitive functions were assessed before and after the intervention.
• The walking training group showed significant improvements in abdominal obesity and various fitness measurements.
• Enhancements in executive functions were observed in the multicomponent training group.
• Positive correlations emerged between the number of daily steps and improvements in fitness, psychosocial wellbeing, and cognitive performance.