title: A physical-cognitive intervention to enhance gait speed in older Mexican adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the effects of a physical-cognitive exercise intervention on gait parameters under dual-task conditions in community-dwelling older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A repeated-measures quasi-experimental design, with control and exercise groups, was used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study participants consist of a convenience sample recruited from senior citizens' centers in Monterrey, Mexico.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 143 sedentary participants ages 65 to 92 years per group participated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A combined 45- to 60-minute program of physical and cognitive exercises was conducted in three weekly sessions during 12 weeks for the exercise group. Measures . The spatial gait parameters of speed (cm/s), step width, and stride length (cm); and the temporal parameters of single and double support time, cadence (steps per minute), and swing time(s) were measured using the GaitRite. Counting backwards or naming animals represented cognitive performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two (groups: exercise group vs. control group) by three (time: baseline, week 6, and week 12) repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant group effect (Wilks lambda F4,279 = 6.78, p < .001); univariate analysis showed significant differences for gait speed (m/s), stride length, cadence, step width, and double support time. Time-by-group interaction showed significance in gait speed and stride length.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The exercise group participants showed increased gait speed, cadence, and stride length, and reduced their step width and time spent with both feet on the ground. Walking while simultaneously performing a cognitive task might prepare older adults for competing/interfering demands from their environments. The protective health benefits of this intervention remain to be investigated.
authors.forename: Bertha Cecilia
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Salazar-González
authors.forename: Juana Edith
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Cruz-Quevedo
authors.forename: Esther C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Gallegos-Cabriales
authors.forename: Maria de Los Angeles
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Villarreal-Reyna
authors.forename: Oswaldo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ceballos-Gurrola
authors.forename: Perla Lizeth
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Hernández-Cortés
authors.forename: Maria Eugenia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Garza-Elizondo
authors.forename: Marco Vinicio
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Gómez-Meza
authors.forename: María Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Enriquez-Reyna
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D065228:Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000072797:Walking Speed
keywords: Elderly, Gait, Dual-Task, Intervention, Prevention Research. Manuscript format: research; Health focus: physical activity; Monterrey's metropolitan area; Outcome measure: cognitive and behavioral; Research purpose: intervention testing; Setting: community senior citizen centers; Strategy: skill-building/behavior change; Study design: quasi-experimental; Target population age: seniors; Target population circumstances: low-educated, low socioeconomic status; and Mexicans