Dual-task Walking

This randomized controlled trial will examine whether the frequency of adapted Argentine tango training affects walking and cognitive function in adults aged 55 to 60 years when the total weekly intervention time is kept the same. A total of 270 participants will be randomly assigned in equal numbers to one of three groups. The distributed tango group will attend five 36-minute sessions per week. The concentrated tango group will attend two 90-minute sessions per week. The active control group will attend two 90-minute sessions per week consisting of health education and low-intensity stretching. All interventions will continue for 8 weeks. The adapted Argentine tango program will include low-impact multidirectional stepping, weight shifting, movement initiation and stopping, rhythmic cueing, direction changes, alternating leader-follower roles, and progressive movement-sequence learning. Jumping, rapid continuous turning, large kicks, and other high-risk movements will not be included. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, Week 4, Week 8, and 2 weeks after the intervention ends. The main outcome will be the change in dual-task walking cost at week 8. Other assessments will examine balance, walking performance, executive function, general cognitive function, lower-limb function, exercise adherence, training intensity, falls, and adverse events. The study aims to determine whether shorter, more frequent sessions or longer, less frequent sessions provide greater motor-cognitive benefits when the total weekly intervention time is equal.