Effect of Acute Strength Training on the Posture Control during Dual Tasking and Executive Function in Older Adults. A Randomized Controlled Study

• Published in: International Journal of Gerontology Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 216 - 220
• Main Authors: Margarita Drozdova-Statkevičienė, Vida Janina Cesnaitienė, Nerijus Masiulis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 社團法人台灣老人急重症醫學會 01.09.2019
• Subjects: cognitive function; healthy ageing; physical activity
• ISSN: 1873-9598
• DOI: 10.6890/IJGE.201909_13(3).0007

Background: It is well known that aging negatively affects the ability to perform a dual-task due to impaired motor and executive functions. Any method to improve posture stability and cognitive functioning in old adults is acceptable. Methods: 30 old-aged men performed dual-tasks before and after intervention. They were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group performed squats with a barbell, while control group had a rest. Results: Elimination of visual feedback increased sway activity (p ＜ 0.05) during single and dual tasks. There was no significant effect of the dual-task and strength training on sway activity. Dual-task and acute strength training did not affect executive functions during dual task (DT). Conclusion: Our research suggests that acute strength training might be an effective intervention to improve cognitive functions in old adults. Unfortunately, we did not find any effect of intervention on motor - cognitive function interaction during dual-task, we found only a tendency of improvement.