Brain stimulation may boost walking skills in seniors

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * age 65 years or older * preferred 10m walking speed \< 1.1 m/s * self-report of "some difficulty with walking tasks, such as becoming tired when walking a quarter mile, or when climbing two flights of stairs, or when performing household chores." * Willingness to be randomized to either study group and to participate in all aspects of study assessment and intervention Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed neurological disorder or injury of the central nervous system, or observation of symptoms consistent with such a condition (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, etc.) * Contraindications to non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g., metal in head, wound on scalp) * Contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging (e.g., metal in body, claustrophobia, etc). * Use of medications affecting the central nervous system * severe arthritis, such as awaiting joint replacement * severe obesity (body mass index \> 35) * current cardiovascular, lung or renal disease; diabetes; terminal illness * myocardial infarction or major heart surgery in the previous year * cancer treatment in the past year, except for nonmelanoma skin cancers and cancers having an excellent prognosis (e.g., early stage breast or prostate cancer) * current diagnosis of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, or bipolar disorder * uncontrolled hypertension at rest (systolic \> 180 mmHg and/or diastolic \> 100 mmHg) * bone fracture or joint replacement in the previous six months * current participation in physical therapy for lower extremity function or cardiopulmonary rehabilitation * current enrollment in any clinical trial * difficulty communicating with study personnel, and/or non-English speaking * planning to relocate out of the area during the study period * clinical judgment of investigative team regarding safety or non-compliance