Participants Eligibility Criteria
dementia, respiratory and/or musculoskeletal condition
DISORDER, RECRUITMENT
Individuals aged ≥ 60 years, clinically diagnosed by a physician with major NCD or dementia (for at least 6-months) and capable of walking independently without an assistive device or human assistance were considered eligible to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria included: i) diagnosis of any condition or disorder in which exercise is contraindicated (e.g., ongoing, or unstable cardiovascular, respiratory and/or musculoskeletal condition); ii) recent hospitalization (e.g., previous month to recruitment) and/or in rehabilitation, and/or in recovery from surgery; iii) advanced stage of major NCD or dementia (e.g., ≤ 10 points on Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]). After agreeing to participate, eligible participants were allocated to a 6-month MT intervention – experimental group (EG), or to a social activity group – control group (CG), according to their availability.