Comparison between simple and dual tasks, cognitive capacity, and postural balance in older people who participated in 3 types of exercise

Background and objective: Physical exercise programmes for groups of older people are usually offered by community health services, which can generate different stimulus in the physical and cognitive capacity in this population. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of simple and dual task activities, postural balance and cognitive functions in older adults who took part in different types of group exercises. Materials and methods: A total of 41 older women took part in 3 exercise programmes were evaluated (G1 = walking group, G2 = functional training group, and G3 = dancing group). To determine the level of physical activity the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Balance was assessed using the unipedal stance test, the cognitive capacity was tested using the mini mental status examination, and the performing of the simple/dual tasks was assessed according to the number of repetitions made during cognitive and motor activities for 30 seconds For the statistical analysis, One-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis were used to compare the variables. The Spearman coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between the variables. Results: There were no differences in age and body mass index (BMI) between the groups, G1 (n = 13; age = 62.5 ± 2.9 years; BMI = 28.49 ± 6.4 Kg/m²), G2 (n = 13; age: 64.2 ± 5 years; BMI = 26.6 ± 4.2 Kg/m²), and G3 (n = 15; age = 66.6 ± 6.05 years; BMI = 29.4 ± 8.4 Kg/m²), P >.05. G2 showed a better performance in simple, dual motor, and dual motor-cognitive tasks compared to G1 and G3 (P >.004). Correlations were observed between simple, dual motor, and dual motor-cognitive tasks (0.56 > r < 0.80; P >.05). Conclusion: Older women who practice functional training have better performance in cognitive-motor tasks compared to those who dance and walk.