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

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.