Progressive Dual Task Training for Improving Physical Performance in Older Adults with Impaired Balance.

Abstract

The elderly population is swiftly growing and expected to reach 198 million in 2030, which implies a huge burden on the health care facilities required to treat and sustain the quality of life of older adults. Further elderly individuals demonstrate difficulty to execute motor tasks due to age related cognitive declines. To address the essential components of functional problems of this population, an effective exercise program was explored to improve their functional abilities. The study analysed the effects of progressive dual task training on physical performance in elderly people with impaired balance. Older adults between 60 to 75 years were trained with Progressive dual task exercise (DT).The effects of DT on functional performance measured as physical performance was analysed using short physical performance battery (SPPB). It was observed that dual task training group showed significant improvement on functional performance measures. (p<0.001).This study highlights the importance and benefits of dual task exercises trained in a progressive manner with sequentially planned challenging tasks in improving functional performance.