Dual Task exercise combines physical exercises, such as walking, riding an exercise bike, or stretching while carrying out a cognitive task, e.g. playing a game, talking with someone or a memory game. Studies have shown that such workouts have a positive effect on both physical and cognitive health, particularly in older adults, as well as those with Parkinson’s Disease, Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s. While exercise or cognitive tasks alone provide significant benefits to one’s health. “Performing cognitive and physical exercise simultaneously, and interactive training (e.g., exergames, square stepping) produced the largest gains in executive functions, speed, and global cognition, as well as the largest improvements in physical functions.”
Keep in mind that a lot of what we do during the day involves multi-tasking. When we go to the grocery store, we’re walking while we’re scanning shelves looking for a specific item. Making dinner can involve multiple steps while listening to music or the news, and how many times a day, do we walk and carry something at the same time? The more we practice dual tasking exercise, the more we will be able to continue doing so as we age or if we sustain an injury.
EXAMPLES OF DUAL TASKING
• Dual-tasking during cardiovascular exercise: While walking, running, hiking, cycling, or swimming, try: Counting backward by threes from 100; Reciting a favorite poem or story.
Memorizing a list of words or items needed for a party; Solving simple math problems mentally.
• Combine balance/coordination with mental challenges: Stand on one foot while reciting the alphabet backward or spelling words aloud. Perform lunges or squats while saying the months of the year in reverse order. March in place while reciting states in the US that have a coastline.
• Walking while talking on the phone, using a computer etc. Walking is generally automatic, so combining it with a focused task like working or having a conversation, it requires more cognitive resources to manage both.
• Upgrading your work station so it becomes a dual-task. Mayo Clinic study finds active workstations may improve cognitive performance .
VIDEOS
Exercise to Boost Your Brain/Dual Tasking
Balance Training Combined with Dual-Task Training for Cognitive Fitness
Dual Tasking: Total HealthWorks Parkinson’s Foundation
Dual Tasking and Exercise with The Cognitive Empowerment Program
