PAJAR - Pan-American Journal of Aging Research · Mar 4, 2026

The effects of high intensity functional exercise and simultaneous dual-task training in older adults

By Szortyka JVEH, Ronconi M, de Lemos AT et al.

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the impact of a high intensity functional exercise program, with or without simultaneous cognitive training in a dual-task format, on the primary outcomes of balance, functional capacity, and cognitive performance in community-dwelling older adults, with the primary outcome of improved gait quality, measured by the reduction in execution time on the three meter walk test. Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled trial will be conducted with older adults aged 60 years or older. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a standalone high-intensity functional exercise program (single-task group) or the same program combined with simultaneous cognitive challenges (dual-task group) over 12 weeks. Physical and cognitive outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention using validated measures, including the Timed Up and Go test, Mini-BESTest, MontrealCognitive Assessment, Trail Making Test, and Digit Span Test, among others. The sample size was estimated at 44 participants (22 per group), considering a statistical power of 95% and a dropout rate of 20%, based on previous studies with a similar design. Results: The dual-task group is expected to show more significant improvements in balance, physical function, and cognitive performance compared to the single-task group, demonstrating the superiority of high-intensity motor-cognitive training. Conclusions: If confirmed, dual-task training may be considered an effective and accessible intervention to improve the physical and cognitive health of older adults, contributing to a reduced risk of falls and associated healthcare costs. This study will provide important evidence supporting the integration of cognitive challenges into exercise programs aimed at maximizing benefits for this population. Trial registration: The trial has been prospectively registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-107mtjc8).

doi.org/10.15448/2357-9641.2026.1.48581 Open access Interventions