Abstract

The present study aimed to clarify whether a multicomponent exercise program could effectively enhance physical and cognitive performances among community-dwellers in a rural area of northern Japan. Community-dwellers aged 60 years or more participated in an exercise program for 90 min/day, once every 2 weeks for 6 months, according to instructions supervised by a trained occupational therapist and a medical doctor specializing in geriatrics. The exercise program consisted of multitask conditions for cognition and physical performance. Physical and cognitive assessments were completed at baseline and after the 6-month intervention. The physical measurements consisted of body mass index, grip strength and usual walking speed, while the cognitive items included memory, attention, executive function and information processing speed. Fifty-eight participants (mean age, 76.2 years; % female, 82.8%) completed the 6-month follow-up period. Statistically, significant improvements in the usual walking speed (p = 0.0001),word recognition as memory score (p ＜ 0.0001), and information processing speed (p = 0.02) were observed after the intervention. Our study suggests that a multicomponent, dual-task exercise program combining physical exercise and cognitive training could be an effective strategy for enhancing physical and cognitive function among older individuals living in rural areas of Japan.