High-Intensity Functional Exercises Associated or Not With Cognitive Stimulation Improves Cognition and Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Studies suggest that physical exercise improves physical and cognitive function in older adults, though the benefits of dual-task interventions remain controversial. This study aimed to assess whether adding cognitive training in a dual-task fashion to a high-intensity functional exercise program enhances gait speed, lower-extremity strength, dynamic balance, balance confidence, and cognitive function in older adults after 16 weeks. METHODS: This double-blind randomized controlled trial included 96 community-dwelling older adults, randomly assigned to either a high-intensity functional exercise program, with 50% of physical exercises incorporating a cognitive task, or the same program without the cognitive task. Both groups performed two sessions per week of group training, including progressive strength and balance exercises, over 16 weeks. Physical and cognitive performances were assessed at baseline and after 16 weeks. RESULTS: Mixed repeated-measure analysis of variance only demonstrated a significant effect of time on most assessed outcomes (p < .05), indicating that, independent of the group, the experimental intervention had positive effects on gait speed, functional lower extremity strength, balance confidence, and cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: Both interventions improved cognition and physical performance. Simultaneous cognitive dual-task training does not appear to offer greater benefits compared with a high-intensity functional exercise program in community-dwelling older adults. Significance/Implications: Regardless of the simultaneous stimulation with cognitive tasks, our results add further evidence about the beneficial role of physical exercise in maintaining and/or improving health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults.