Additional Functional Performance Gains After 24-Week Unstable Strength Training With Cognitive Training in Community-Dwelling Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized Trial

Abstract

The authors investigated the effects of unstable strength training (UST) without or with cognitive training (C+UST) on functional performance in community-dwelling older adults. A total of 50 participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to either 24 weeks of thrice-weekly UST (n = 25) or C+UST (n = 25). All participants performed moderate-intensity strength exercises using unstable surfaces, and C+UST participants simultaneously received cognitive training in addition to UST. Primary outcomes included measures of functional performance: single- and dual-task timed up and go tests. Secondary outcomes included dynamic balance, mobility, handgrip strength, flexibility, quality of life, and concern about falling. The authors observed similar improvements on functional performance through the interventions. The C+UST group experienced additional gains at completion (single-task timed up and go: -0.90 s, 95% confidence interval [-2.38, -0.03]; dual-task timed up and go: -4.80 s, 95% confidence interval [-8.65, -0.95]) compared with the UST group. Moreover, significant differences were observed in mobility (sitting-rising test: -1.34, 95% confidence interval [-2.00, -0.20]) at 24 weeks. Both exercise modes improved single-task functional performance, while adding cognitive-training-optimized dual-task functional performance gains.

Keywords: cognition; exercise; instability; physical functional performance; resistance training.