Training the Brain to Move Better as We Age

Executive functions are the brain systems that support planning, attention and decision making. With advanced age, these systems often slow and become less efficient, making everyday tasks feel more challenging.¹ Declines in executive functions are associated with slower reaction times and higher fall risk.^2,3 While treatment options are limited for regaining executive functions, physical activity remains one of the most reliable ways to support these brain systems. Evidence also indicates that exercise can be even more beneficial for enhancing stability with dual tasking workouts.

Dual Task Training

Dual tasking occurs when a physical demand is paired with a cognitive challenge, such as walking while solving problems or indoor cycling while engaging with a virtual screen-based experience. Daily life routinely requires the brain to rely on simultaneous motor and cognitive control, for instance, navigating a crowded room, carrying on a conversation while walking, or responding to unexpected obstacles. Training with a combination of physical and mental effort seems to better prepare the brain and body for these real-world demands, even more than exercise alone.⁴

Research Emphasizes Cognitive Engagement

Recent studies in aging and fall prevention have shifted away from asking whether exercise helps to how to make the training even more engaging, sustainable and effective. Many studies test the outcomes of interactive walking tasks, exergames and attention-based challenges. The goal is not cognitive overload, but repeated practice of attention shifting, inhibition during coordinated movement. The added benefit of dual tasking vs exercise alone is typically modest but consistent, with small to moderate gains in executive function and clearer improvements in gait stability.^4,5

Expert perspectives on the future of dual tasking

The research on dual tasking is highly relevant to fitness professionals who serve older adults, and research is continuing to explore how to make these workouts more engaging and effective.

Ryan Glatt, PhD(c), MS, ACE-MES, NBC-HWC, Director of the FitBrain Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, emphasizes that the true value of dual task training lies in how closely it mirrors real life.

“What excites me most about dual task training is its practicality and the incorporation of cognitive tasks with movement to increase engagement,” says Glatt. “In daily life, we rarely move without thinking. We walk while planning, reacting, scanning our environment, or carrying on a conversation, which in older adults may increase the risk of falls. Dual-task training may better reflect real-world demands. When movement is paired with cognitive-domain specific demands (e.g. memory, attention) we���re training the brain and body together in a way that feels purposeful. At the very least, there is a greater level of enjoyment and variety within a training program. If the application and dosage is significant and relevant, we may improve cognition, and not just achieve the physical goals that our industry is accustomed to addressing, which are very meaningful and impactful.”

“Even participation in any cognitively-demanding or open-skill activities and neuromotor modality is beneficial, which improves cognitive and motor function in a variety of populations,” he explains. “From a coaching and clinical perspective, enjoyment and adherence matter just as much as effect size. If people enjoy the training and stick with it, that’s where long-term benefits can emerge.”

Drawing from his clinical and research work in exergaming and cognitively engaged exercise, Glatt adds that technology can lower barriers to participation by making dual task training more accessible, scalable, and engaging for older adults.

Why This Matters for Fitness Professionals

From a practical standpoint, dual task training is not about turning workouts into cognitive tests. Instead, it’s a strategy that helps older adults practice using more of their brain while moving. When coordination and attention are trained together, movement becomes safer and clients become more confident. Even small gains in stability or reaction time can matter for older adults who prioritize independence.

Applying Dual Task Principles in Facilities

Many cardio consoles already provide natural dual task conditions by pairing rhythmic movement with cognitively engaging content. Card games, reading or visually guided interaction place light demands on attention and memory, while the treadmill, indoor cycle or elliptical challenge coordination and balance. With minimal staff instruction, these experiences can move beyond entertainment and become intentional training tools.

For operators, this creates an opportunity to offer more than exercise alone. As the population ages, more adults seek programs that help them stay independent. Their goals and expectations shift toward facilities that protect longevity and independence, so facilities that intentionally support these experiences will be better at meeting their needs.