Background: Aging can impair balance. Activities of daily living often require dual tasking, which can impair attention and increase the risk of falls. This review examines the impact of dual tasks on gait and mobility in older adults. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in Pubmed, including studies on the dual-task cost on gait in healthy older adults. Results: Fourteen high- and moderate-quality studies were analysed to calculate dual-task costs on gait in healthy older adults. The most common primary motor task was walking, followed by the Timed Up and Go test, while most common dual task was cognitive, particularly subtraction. In most studies, objective assessment was performed, mainly using inertial motion sensors. The results showed that dual-tasking slows walking speed, increases step variability and prolongs task completion time, all of which are associated with a higher risk of falling. Conclusion: Cognitive tasks performed while walking can improve fall risk assessment. Dual tasks in the Tim ed Up and Go test or fast walking better reflect real-life situations than walking at a comfortable pace.
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