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Dual-task multicomponent exercise–cognitive intervention improved cognitive function and functional fitness in older adults

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Abstract

Background

Maintaining cognitive and physical function is essential to healthy aging.

Aim

This study aims to investigate the effect of an exercise–cognitive dual-task program in Chinese language on cognitive function and functional fitness in older adults.

Methods

Seventy adults aged 60–84 years were conveniently assigned to one of the three groups: exercise–cognitive dual-task (EC) group (n = 28), exercise group (n = 22), and control group (n = 20). The EC group received a 90-min class including multicomponent exercise–cognitive dual-task twice a week. The exercise group received a 90-min class including multicomponent exercise twice a week. The control group maintained their regular level of physical activity and general lifestyle. Cognitive functions and functional fitness were measured before and after the 12-week intervention.

Results

The participants in the EC and exercise group significantly improved scores in Taiwanese Frontal Assessment Battery, the Chang Gung University Orthographical Fluency Test, and the Mini-Mental State Examination; however, those in the control group did not. The participants in the EC and exercise group showed significant increases in almost all functional fitness tests. The participants in the EC group showed significantly higher improvements in Chang Gung University Orthographical Fluency Test score and aerobic endurance than the exercise group and in Chang Gung University Orthographical Fluency Test score and lower body strength than the control group. In addition, the changes in Taiwanese Frontal Assessment Battery and Mini-Mental State Examination scores were significantly correlated with the changes in functional fitness.

Conclusion

The dual-task intervention resulted in greater improvements in verbal fluency, endurance, and muscular strength than exercise alone and control.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in figshare at http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.22179916.

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Acknowledgements

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Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sports Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan

    Yi-Ling Chen

  2. Department of Recreation and Sport Management, Shu-Te University, 82445, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

    Chien-Hsing Tseng

  3. Office of University Social Responsibility, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan

    Hsin-Tzu Lin

  4. Department of Adult and Continuing Education, National Chung-Cheng University, Chiayi, Taiwan

    Pin-Yu Wu

  5. Physical Education Office, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, 415 Jiangong Rd., Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung, 807618, Taiwan

    Hsueh-Chin Chao

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  5. Hsueh-Chin Chao
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Contributions

YLC, CHT, HTL, PYW, and HCC: conceptualization and study design; YLC, CHT, HTL, PYW, and HCC: data curation; CHT: statistical analysis; HTL: investigation; PYW: methodology; YLC: writing—original draft; YLC, CHT, HTL, PYW, and HCC: writing—review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hsueh-Chin Chao.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study protocol was approved by Human Research Ethics Center, National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan (CCUREC108123101). All participants gave their written consent.

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All authors agree to the publication.

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Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (MP4 9372 KB) Supplementary Video 1. An example of the initial stage of the dual-task intervention

Supplementary file2 (MP4 5597 KB) Supplementary Video 2. An example of the middle stage of the dual-task intervention.

Supplementary file3 (MP4 22769 KB) Supplementary Video 3. An example of the final stage of the dual-task intervention.

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Chen, YL., Tseng, CH., Lin, HT. et al. Dual-task multicomponent exercise–cognitive intervention improved cognitive function and functional fitness in older adults. Aging Clin Exp Res 35, 1855–1863 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-023-02481-0

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