The Effects of a Divided-Attention Timed Stepping Accuracy Task on Balance, Strength, Endurance and Functional Performance in Healthy Older Adults: A Pilot Study.

The study aim was to investigate whether a 6-week Divided-Attention Stepping Accuracy Task (DATSAT) intervention improved the primary outcome measure, Maximal Step Length (MSL), other balance measures [Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go (TUG)], leg strength, endurance (6-Minute Walk Test) and functional tasks in 15 community dwelling healthy older adults (CHOA) (x̄ age 71.5, female 46.7%) compared to 15 CHOA in a Bike and Strength (B&S) program (x̄ age 73.8, female 33.3%). Participants trained 3 x per week, 30-60 minutes per session. Stepping group differences were significant for all measures. B&S group improved in MSL (anterior, lateral), strength and 1 functional task. Stepping group outperformed B&S group in TUG and MSL posterior. B&S group outperformed Stepping group in 2 strength measures. Exertion scores were lower for the Stepping group. Overall, DATSAT training resulted in more within-group improvements and 2 between-group measures with less perceived effort and shorter intervention times.