Effects of interactive boxing-cycling on dual-task walking and prefrontal cortex activation in older adults with cognitive frailty: A randomized controlled trial

Older adults with cognitive frailty often have impaired dual-task walking and prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation. Combining cycling with interactive boxing offers an innovative and interesting dual-task training to challenge both physical and cognitive skills. This study investigated the effects of interactive boxing-cycling on this population. Thirty-nine participants were assigned to the interactive boxing-cycling group (n = 20) or the stationary cycling group (n = 19) for 36 sessions over 12 weeks. The outcomes included dual-task walking performance, PFC activation, cognitive function, and frailty scores. Results showed the interactive boxing-cycling group had greater improvements in dual-task walking speed and cost and beneficially reduced oxygenated hemoglobin levels compared to the stationary group. Furthermore, both groups improved in frailty and cognition, but the interactive boxing-cycling group had better effects on general and specific cognitive function. Interactive boxing-cycling is an efficient intervention to enhance dual-task walking and PFC activation in older adults with cognitive frailty.