Stretching and balance intervention.
This control intervention consisted of balance and stretching exercise for 12 weeks (36 sessions) and matched the active exercise intervention in frequency (3 days/week) and duration (20–45 minutes). Participants performed static and dynamic balance exercises and low-intensity core strengthening exercises using a combination of body weight, light weights, and elastic bands. HR was monitored to gauge exercise intensity and maximize the time that HR was maintained below 50% of HRR. Both exercise and stretching interventions were supervised by an exercise physiologist and were performed at the Movement Studies and Aerobic Exercise Laboratory at the Atlanta VA Health Care System.