| Dual-task performance is the ability to conduct two tasks simultaneously. Dual-task walking is the ability to conduct two tasks simultaneously, while at least one of the tasks involves walking. This ability tends to diminish among older adults. Reduction in dual-task performance is associated with increased risk of falls and functional decline. Studies show that interventions that aim at improving dual-task performance can improve this ability among older adults. In the last decade, the amount of interventions aimed at improving dual-task performance has increased. The interventions have been conducted in a variety of settings, with different levels of instruction, and for a variety of durations. Furthermore, the outcome measures are varied. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether EnhanceFitness (EF), an evidence based exercise program for older adults, improves dual-task performance after 18 hours of participation. The main outcome was measured using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) with cognitive task and one-minute walk with verbal fluency. With these two measures we evaluated: motor performance under single- and dual-task, cognitive performance under single- and dual-task and the relative cost of dual-task performance compared to single-task performance using the Dual-Task Cost (DTC) calculation. The analyses showed that the walking part under dual-task performance significantly improved while the cognitive part did not improve. The relative cost of dual-task performance compared to single-task did not improve either. Furthermore, we measured postural and executive functions; all the measures of these functions were significantly improved. Thus, our conclusion is that 18 hours of participating in EF training can improve walking performance under dual-task condition, postural control, and executive function. In order to improve both the cognitive and motor task and the relative cost of dual-task performance, dual-task training should be incorporated into EF. Future investigation should focus on incorporating dual-task training into EF and evaluating the effectiveness of this training with different populations of older adults such as: healthy older adults, people with Alzheimer disease, people with Parkinson disease and people with different levels of cognition and postural control abilities. |
