It is well-known that regular exercise strengthens muscles, supports heart health, and boosts mood, enhancing overall wellbeing. But what if you could do more?
Enter dual task training, a method that combines physical movement with mental tasks – and a fresh take on the concept of staying both fit and sharp.
At The Intersection of Physical and Mental Health
Dual task training is a unique approach to exercise that simultaneously challenges the body and mind – think running on a treadmill while solving a puzzle. This format promotes multitasking, and this can have very strong implications for brain health.
Research has highlighted the effect of dual task training on neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to rewire and adapt to experiences. By juggling multiple activities, the brain is stimulated into forming new connections and strengthening neural pathways.
This has a profound impact on cognitive performance, including focus, memory and other executive functions. It can even slow down cognitive decline, and amplify functioning for seniors in the midst of experiencing cognitive problems.
Furthermore, engaging in dual task training positively influences physical performance, such as by enhancing coordination and balance. These findings are especially marked in older adults.
The advantages of this unique training format are what gave life to SPARKD, a Singapore-based fitness centre that gamifies exercise so that you’re working out not just your body, but your brain too.
Its founder, Anna Milani, was motivated to uncover ways for preserving and augmenting cognitive health due to a family history of Alzheimer’s, and came across dual task training during her search.
“As we age, we slow down both physically and cognitively, and the ability to dual task diminishes, therefore interfering with our everyday life and tasks.” she explains.
“As a very active person, who wants to live a long, but also healthy and full life, I was very fascinated with the concept of being able to maintain both physical and mental abilities as long as possible.”
SPARKD: Exemplifying Dual Task Training
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At SPARKD, the team designs exercise programs based on the principle of dual task training, combining physical tasks like strength, cardio, or motor coordination with mental tasks like memory, processing speed, or visuo-spatial function
“Most often, physical and cognitive (tasks) are done simultaneously; however, at times we do them subsequently. We encourage variety and a mix of stimuli to achieve a holistic training,” elaborates Milani.
The team customises these programmes to meet individual needs and strengthen specific physical and cognitive areas of interest.
“The best training for each person is the one they have to improve.” She explains. “When you then combine the physical and cognitive, that’s when the magic happens – the variability of what you can do grows exponentially, and the level of challenge increases massively.”
SPARKD tracks the effectiveness of its programmes by comparing a patron’s current performance with their initial baseline, ensuring measurable progress.
And on whether dual task training has shown to be an effective wellness strategy for her gym members, Milani can confidently answer with a resounding “yes”.
“Mostly because members also self-report improvements themselves by telling us how much better they feel,” she adds. “We see clients that also may have conditions, and those members tell us how our training is helping them more than any other intervention in their everyday life.”
The Future of Exercise
As we age, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to preserving quality of life. Beyond physical fitness, we must reduce risks to cognitive function, embracing ageing with grace and empowerment.
Dr Arthi Premkumar, an Associate Consultant and Specialist in Geriatric Medicine at Alexandra Hospital, discusses more in The Straits Times: “[Staying] physically active and prioritising mental wellbeing are essential for developing cognitive reserves, which is the brain’s “capacity”, and hence reflects its resistance to damage that it may encounter.”
“The higher the cognitive reserves, the more resilient it is to damage. This can explain why people differ in their ability to cope with changes or damages that result from ageing, disease or brain injury.”
Various studies have already proven the value of putting physical and brain health hand-in-hand, with SPARKD modelling its success. This multidimensional approach also makes exercise more engaging and enjoyable.
When asked how gyms are looking ahead in regards to the trend towards holistic health, Milani shares: “I believe new concepts coming to the market are shifting from the idea of just looking after physiques to actually looking after overall health. Yes, there will always be centres focusing on the physical aspect, but savvier and ageing consumers will drive trends towards products and centres that fulfil bigger needs.”
As physical and mental health become more interconnected, dual task training could transform fitness routines and lead to a healthier, more vibrant future.
