The Impact of Physical Activities on Cognitive Performance among Healthy Older Individuals
Abstract
:1. Introduction
- As part of their weekly physical activity, older adults should do multicomponent physical activity that includes balance training as well as aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.
- Older adults should determine their level of effort for physical activity relative to their level of fitness.
- Older adults with chronic conditions should understand whether and how their conditions affect their ability to do regular physical activity safely.
- When older adults cannot do 150 min of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week because of chronic conditions, they should be as physically active as their abilities and conditions allow [16].
2. Methods
3. Results
- Only studies involving a physical activity intervention among healthy older individuals were included.
- The subjects had to be divided into an intervention and a control group.
- The intervention had to last at least four weeks.
- The primary outcome concentrated only on the effect of the physical activity intervention on cognitive functions of healthy elderly.
- The subjects had to be cognitively unimpaired and at age 55+ (the age was set for 55+ years since within this paper people above 55 years old are included in the group of ‘older people’. Although this may seem illogical, as they mostly are active and working persons, their cognitive (learning) operations require approaches specific to this age group, i.e., adult learning. In addition, the age of 55 years is the starting seniors’ age in the Czech Republic).
- The subjects were of different age range [19].
4. Discussion
Author Contributions
Funding
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
- NIH. Available online: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/worlds-older-population-grows-dramatically (accessed on 1 November 2019).
- WHO. Available online: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health (accessed on 1 November 2019).
- Ageing. Available online: https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/ageing/ (accessed on 18 May 2020).
- Benedict, C.; Brooks, S.J.; Kullberg, J.; Nordenskjöld, R.; Burgos, J.; Le Grevès, M.; Kilander, L.; Larsson, E.-M.; Johansson, L.; Ahlström, H.; et al. Association between physical activity and brain health in older adults. Neurobiol. Aging 2013, 34, 83–90. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Donath, L.; Ludyga, S.; Hammes, D.; Rossmeissl, A.; Andergassen, N.; Zahner, L.; Faude, O. Absolute and relative reliability of acute effects of aerobic exercise on executive function in seniors. BMC Geriatr. 2017, 17, 247. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Gheysen, F.; Poppe, L.; DeSmet, A.; Swinnen, S.; Cardon, G.; De Bourdeaudhuij, I.; Chastin, S.; Fias, W. Physical activity to improve cognition in older adults: Can physical activity programs enriched with cognitive challenges enhance the effects? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int. J. Behav. Nutr. Phys. Act. 2018, 15, 63. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Kramer, A.F.; Erickson, K.I.; Colcombe, S.J. Exercise, cognition, and the aging brain. J. Appl. Physiol. 2006, 101, 1237–1242. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Reichman, W.E.; Fiocco, A.J.; Rose, N.S. Exercising the brain to avoid cognitive decline: Examining the evidence. Aging Health 2010, 6, 565–584. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Sindi, S.; Ngandu, T.; Hovatta, I.; Kåreholt, I.; Antikainen, R.; Hänninen, T.; Levälahti, T.; Laatikainen, T.; Lindström, J.; Paajanen, T.; et al. Baseline telomere length and effects of a multidomain lifestyle intervention on cognition: The FINGER Randomized Controlled Trial. J. Alzheimers Dis. 2017, 59, 1459–1470. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Jirák, R. Farmakoterapie demencí. Prakt. Lékárenství 2009, 4, 286–290. [Google Scholar]
- Gagliardi, C.; Papa, R.; Postacchini, D.; Giuli, C. Association between cognitive status and physical activity: Study profile on baseline survey of the My Mind Project. In.t J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13, 585. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- The Health of Aging Populations. Available online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK98373/ (accessed on 12 April 2020).
- Berryman, N.; Bherer, L.; Nadeau, S.; Lauzière, S.; Lehr, L.; Bobeuf, F.; Lussier, M.; Kergoat, M.J.; Vu, T.T.M.; Bosquet, L. Multiple roads lead to Rome: Combined high-intensity aerobic and strength training vs. gross motor activities leads to equivalent improvement in executive functions in a cohort of healthy older adults. Age (Dordr) 2014, 36, 9710. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Esmail, A.; Vrinceanu, T.; Lussier, M.; Predovan, D.; Berryman, N.; Houle, J.; Karelis, A.; Grenier, S.; Vu, T.T.M.; Villalpando, J.M.; et al. Effects of dance/movement training vs. aerobic exercise training on cognition, physical fitness and quality of life in older adults: A randomized controlled trial. J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther. 2019, 24, 212–220. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gill, D.P.; Gregory, M.A.; Zou, G.; Liu-Ambrose, T.; Shigematsu, R.; Hachinski, V.; Fitzgerald, C.; Petrella, R.J. The healthy mind, healthy mobility trial: A novel exercise program for older adults. Med. Sci Sports Exerc. 2016, 48, 297–306. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd ed. Available online: https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf (accessed on 18 May 2020).
- Santana-Sosa, E.; Barriopedro, M.I.; López-Mojares, L.M.; Pérez, M.; Lucia, A. Exercise training is beneficial for Alzheimer’s patients. Int. J. Sports Med. 2008, 29, 845–850. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Larson, E.B.; Wang, L.; Bowen, J.D.; McCormick, W.C.; Teri, L.; Crane, P.; Kukull, W.A. Exercise is associated with reduced risk for incident dementia among persons 65 years of age and older. Ann. Intern. Med. 2006, 144, 73–81. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Lautenschlager, N.T.; Cox, K.L.; Flicker, L.; Foster, J.K.; Van Bockxmeer, F.; Xiao, J.; Greenop, K.; Almeida, O.P. Effect of physical activity on cognitive function in older adults at risk for Alzheimer disease: A randomized trial. JAMA 2008, 300, 1027–1037. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Hamer, M.; Chida, Y. Physical activity and risk of neurodegenerative disease: A systematic review of prospective evidence. Psychol. Med. 2009, 39, 3–11. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Karceski, S. Preventing Alzheimer disease with exercise? Neurology 2012, 78, 110–112. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Petersen, R. Can Exercise Prevent Memory Loss and Improve Cognitive Function? Mayo Clinic. 2014. Available online: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/alzheimers-disease/faq-20057881 (accessed on 4 May 2020).
- Arab, L.; Sabagh, M.N. Are certain life style habits associated with lower Alzheimer disease risk? Alzheimers Dis. 2010, 20, 785–794. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Kivipelto, M.; Solomon, A. Alzheimer’s disease—The ways of prevention. J. Nutr. Health Aging 2007, 12, 89S–94S. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Braskie, M.N.; Boyle, C.P.; Rajagopalan, P.; Gutman, B.A.; Toga, A.W.; Raji, C.A.; Tracy, R.P.; Kuller, L.H.; Becker, J.T.; Lopez, O.L.; et al. Physical activity, inflammation, and volume of the aging brain. Neuroscience 2014, 273, 199–209. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Li, J.; Wang, Y.-J.; Zhang, M.; Xu, Z.Q.; Gao, C.Y.; Fang, C.Q.; Yan, J.C.; Zhou, H.D. Vascular risk factors promote conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer disease. Neurology 2011, 76, 1485–1491. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Radak, Z.; Hart, N.; Sarga, L.; Koltai, E.; Atalay, M.; Ohno, H.; Boldogh, I. Exercise plays a preventive role against Alzheimer’s disease. J. Alzheimer’s Dis. 2010, 20, 777–783. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Erickson, K.I.; Gildengers, A.G.; Butters, M.A. Physical activity and brain plasticity in late adulthood. Dialogues Clin. Neurosci. 2013, 15, 99–108. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
- Chaddock-Heyman, L.; Erickson, K.I.; Holtrop, J.L.; Voss, M.W.; Pontifex, M.B.; Raine, L.B.; Hillman, C.; Kramer, A.F. Aerobic fitness is associated with greater white matter integrity in children. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 2014, 8, 584. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Mandolesi, L.; Gelfo, F.; Serra, L.; Montuori, S.; Polverino, A.; Curcio, G.; Sorrentino, G. Environmental factors promoting neural plasticity: Insights from animal and human studies. Neural Plast 2017, 2017, 1–10. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Newson, R.S.; Kemps, E.B. General lifestyle activities as a predictor of current cognition and cognitive change in older adults: A cross-sectional and longitudinal examination. J. Gerontol. Ser. B Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci. 2005, 60, P113–P120. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bherer, L.; Erickson, K.I.; Liu-Ambrose, T. A review of the effects of physical activity and exercise on cognitive and brain functions in older adults. J. Aging Res. 2013, 2013, 657508. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Colcombe, S.; Kramer, A.F. Fitness effects on the cognitive function of older adults: A meta-analytic study. Psychol. Sci. 2003, 14, 125–130. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kallus, K.W.; Schmitt, J.A.; Benten, D. Attention, psychomotor functions and age. J. Nutr. 2005, 44, 465–484. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hoyer, W.J.; Verhaeghen, P. Memory aging. Memory Aging. In Handbook of the Psychology of Aging; Birren, J.E., Schaire, K.W., Eds.; Elsevier: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2006; pp. 209–232. [Google Scholar]
- Bouaziz, W.; Vogel, T.; Schmitt, E.; Kaltenbach, G.; Geny, B.; Lang, P.O. Health benefits of aerobic training programs in adults aged 70 and over: A systematic review. Arch. Gerontol. Geriatr. 2017, 69, 110–127. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sánchez-González, J.L.; Calvo-Arenillas, J.I.; Sánchez-Rodríguez, J.L. The effects of moderate physical exercise on cognition in adults over 60 years of age. Rev. De Neurol. 2018, 66, 230–236. [Google Scholar]
- Churchill, J.D.; Galvez, R.; Colcombe, S.; Swain, R.A.; Kramer, A.F.; Greenough, W.T. Exercise, experience and the aging brain. Neurobiol. Aging 2002, 23, 941–955. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Slepička, P.; Mudrák, J.; Slepičková, I. Sport a Pohyb v Životě Seniorů; Karolinum: Praga, Czech Republic, 2015. [Google Scholar]
- Erickson, K.I.; Kramer, A.F. Aerobic exercise effects on cognitive and neural plasticity in older adults. Br. J. Sports Med. 2009, 43, 22–24. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Engeroff, T.; Füzéki, E.; Vogt, L.; Fleckenstein, J.; Schwarz, S.; Matura, S.; Pilatus, U.; Deichmann, R.; Hellweg, R.; Pantel, D.M.J.; et al. Is objectively assessed sedentary behavior, physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness linked to brain plasticity outcomes in old age? Neuroscience 2018, 388, 384–392. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Pothier, K.; Gagnon, C.; Fraser, S.A.; Lussier, M.; Desjardins-Crépeau, L.; Berryman, N.; Kergoat, M.-J.; Vu, T.T.M.; Li, K.Z.H.; Bosquet, L.; et al. A comparison of the impact of physical exercise, cognitive training and combined intervention on spontaneous walking speed in older adults. Aging Clin. Exp. Res. 2018, 30, 921–925. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hagovska, M.; Nagyova, I. The transfer of skills from cognitive and physical training to activities of daily living: A randomised controlled study. Eur. J. Aging 2017, 14, 133–142. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- O’Brien, J.; Ottoboni, G.; Tessari, A.; Setti, A. One bout of open skill exercise improves cross-modal perception and immediate memory in healthy older adults who habitually exercise. PLoS ONE 2017, 12, e0178739. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Drogos, L.; Wynne-Edwards, K.; Zhou, R.; Hall, S.E.; Tyndall, A.V.; Longman, R.S.; Eskes, G.; Poulin, M.J. Aerobic exercise increases cortisol awakening response in older adults. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019, 103, 241–248. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rehfeld, K.; Aye, N.; Kaufmann, J.; Hoekelmann, A.; Müller, P.; Schmicker, M.; Dordevic, M.; Müller, N.G. Dancing or fitness sport? The effects of two training programs on hippocampal plasticity and balance abilities in healthy seniors. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 2017, 11, 305. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Aalbers, T.; Baars, M.A.E.; Qin, L.; de Lange, A.; Kessels, R.P.C.; Olde Rikkert, M.G.M. Using an eHealth intervention to stimulate health behavior for the prevention of cognitive decline in Dutch adults: A study protocol for the brain aging monitor. JMIR Res. Protoc. 2015, 4, e130. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Gay, V.C.; Garcia, J.A.; Leong, T.W. Using asynchronous exergames to encourage an active ageing lifestyle: Solitaire fitness study protocol. Stud. Health Technol. Inf. 2019, 266, 70–75. [Google Scholar]
- Herold, F.; Hamacher, D.; Schega, L.; Müller, N.G. Thinking while moving or moving while thinking—Concepts of motor-cognitive training for cognitive performance enhancement. Front. Aging Neurosci. 2018, 10, 228. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Joubert, C.; Chainay, H. Aging brain: The effect of combined cognitive and physical training on cognition as compared to cognitive and physical training alone—A systematic review. Clin. Interv. Aging 2018, 13, 1267–1301. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Olanrewaju, O.; Kelly, S.; Cowan, A.; Brayne, C.; Lafortune, L. Physical activity in community dwelling older people: A systematic review of reviews of interventions and context. PLoS ONE 2016, 11, e0168614. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Predovan, D.; Julien, A.; Esmail, A.; Bherer, L. Effects of dancing on cognition in healthy older adults: A systematic review. J. Cogn. Enhanc. 2019, 3, 161. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Anderson-Hanley, C.; Arciero, P.J.; Brickman, A.M.; Nimon, J.P.; Okuma, N.; Westen, S.C.; Merz, M.E.; Pence, B.D.; Woods, J.A.; Kramer, A.F.; et al. Exergaming and older adult cognition: A cluster randomized clinical trial. Am. J. Prev. Med. 2012, 42, 109–119. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Müller, P.; Rehfeld, K.; Schmicker, M.; Hoekelmann, A.; Dordevic, M.; Leßmann, V.; Brigadski, T.; Kaufmann, J.; Müller, N.G. Evolution of neuroplasticity in response to physical activity in old age: The case for dancing. Front. Aging Neurosci. 2017, 9, 56. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Marquez, D.X.; Wilson, R.; Aguiñaga, S.; Vásquez, P.; Fogg, L.; Yang, Z. Regular Latin dancing and health education may improve cognition of late middle-aged and older Latinos. J. Aging Phys. Act. 2017, 25, 482–489. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Chapman, S.B.; Aslan, S.; Spence, J.S.; Defina, L.F.; Keebler, M.W.; Didehbani, N.; Lu, H. Shorter term aerobic exercise improves brain, cognition, and cardiovascular fitness in aging. Front. Aging Neurosci. 2013, 5, 75. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Maass, A.; Düzel, S.; Brigadski, T.; Goerke, M.; Becke, A.; Sobieray, U.; Neumann, K.; Lövdén, M.; Lindenberger, U.; Bäckman, L.; et al. Relationships of peripheral IGF-1, VEGF and BDNF levels to exercise-related changes in memory, hippocampal perfusion and volumes in older adults. Neuroimage 2016, 131, 142–154. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Ordnung, M.; Hoff, M.; Kaminski, E.; Villringer, A.; Ragert, P. No overt effects of a 6-week exergame training on sensorimotor and cognitive function in older adults. A preliminary investigation. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 2017, 11, 160. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Buchman, A.S.; Boyle, P.A.; Yu, L.; Wilson, R.S.; Bennett, D.A. Total daily physical activity and the risk of AD and cognitive decline in older adults. Neurology 2012, 24, 1323–1329. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Taylor, D. Physical activity is medicine for older adults. Postgrad. Med. J. 2014, 90, 26–32. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Langhammer, B.; Bergland, A.; Rydwik, E. The importance of physical activity exercise among older people. Biomed. Res. Int. 2018, 2018, 7856823. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Mandolesi, L.; Polverino, A.; Montuori, S.; Foti, F.; Ferraioli, G.; Sorrentino, P.; Sorrentino, G. Effects of physical exercise on cognitive functioning and wellbeing: Biological and psychological benefits. Front. Psychol. 2018, 9, 509. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Öhman, H.; Savikko, N.; Strandberg, T.E.; Pitkälä, K.H. Effect of physical exercise on cognitive performance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia: A systematic review. Dement. Geriatr. Cogn. Disord. 2014, 38, 347–365. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Klimova, B.; Valis, M.; Kuca, K. Dancing as an intervention tool for people with dementia: A mini-review. Curr. Alzheimer Res. 2017, 14, 1264–1269. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Verghese, J.; Lipton, R.B.; Katz, M.J.; Hall, C.B.; Derby, C.; Kuslansky, G.; Ambrose, A.F.; Sliwinski, M.; Buschke, H. Leisure activities and the risk of dementia in the elderly. N. Engl. J. Med. 2003, 348, 2508–2516. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Murrock, C.J.; Higgins, P.A. The theory of music, mood and movement to improve health outcomes. J. Adv. Nurs. 2009, 65, 2249–2257. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Hultsch, D.F.; Hertzog, C.; Small, B.J.; Dixon, R.A. Use it or lose it: Engaged lifestyle as a buffer of cognitive decline in aging? Psychol. Aging 2001, 14, 245. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Yaffe, K.; Barnes, D.; Nevitt, M.; Lui, L.I.; Covinsky, K. A prospective study of physical activity and cognitive decline in elderly women: Women who walk. Arch. Intern. Med. 2001, 161, 1703–1708. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Quigley, A.; MacKay-Lyons, M.; Eskes, G. Effects of exercise on cognitive performance in older adults: A narrative review of the evidence, possible biological mechanisms, and recommendations for exercise prescription. J. Aging Res. 2020, 2020, ID1407896. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Raichlen, D.A.; Bharadwaj, P.K.; Nguyen, L.A.; Franchetti, M.K.; Zigman, E.K.; Solorio, A.R.; Alexander, G.E. Effects of simultaneous cognitive and aerobic exercise training on dual-task walking performance in healthy older adults: Results from a pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatr. 2020, 20, 83. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Toman, J.; Klímová, B.; Vališ, M. Multidomain lifestyle intervention strategies for the delay of cognitive impairment in healthy aging. Nutrients 2018, 10, 1560. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
Study | Objective | Protocol Type | Number of Subjects/Population | Main Outcome Measures | Findings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anderson-Hanley et al. [53] RCT (USA) | To investigate the effect of cybercycling on executive functions. | The intervention lasted for three months and consisted of 45 min five times a week. The intervention group was cybercycling and the control group was cycling in a traditional way. | 79 healthy older adults aged 55+ years. Mean age (IG = 75.7 years, CG = 81.6 years). | Physiological assessment, neurocognitive assessment, neuroplasticity assessment, statistical analysis. | The intervention group had a 23% relative risk reduction in clinical progression to Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). |
Berryman et al. [13] Non-RCT | To explore the impact of different training programs on the cognitive skills in healthy elderly. | Three times a week for eight weeks, 60-min session; two groups did a high-intensity aerobic and strength-training program, the third group conducted gross motor activities. | 51 healthy older individuals aged between 62 to 84 years. | Physiological assessment, cognitive assessment, functional capacity tests, body composition assessment, statistical analysis. | All three groups showed equivalent improvement in cognitive performance. |
Chapman et al. [56] Non-RCT (USA) | To investigate the effect of aerobic exercises on brain health of healthy elderly. | 12 weeks of aerobic exercises, each lasted 60 min and was held three times a week; control group was passive. | 37 healthy older individuals aged between 57 to 75 years. | Physiological assessment, neurocognitive assessment, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, statistical analysis. | Even shorter intensive aerobic exercises may enhance cognitive skills and facilitate neuroplasticity among healthy older individuals. |
Esmail et al. [14] RCT (Canada) | To compare the effects of dance/movement training to aerobic exercise training on cognition, physical fitness and health-related quality of life in healthy inactive elderly. | There was one intervention group for dance/movement, one for aerobic exercises and one passive control group. The intervention lasted for 12 weeks, three times a week for 60 min. | 62 healthy older adults with mean age = 67.48 ± 5.37. | Physiological assessment, neurocognitive assessment, statistical analysis. | The findings showed that the dance/movement intervention but not the aerobic training had a positive impact on cognitive functions among healthy elderly. |
Maass et al. [57] Non-RCT (Germany) | To explore the relationships of peripheral IGF-1, VEGF and BDNF levels to exercise-related changes in memory, hippocampal perfusion and volumes in older adults. | The subjects were divided into an aerobic exercise group (indoor treadmill, n = 21) and into a control group (indoor progressive-muscle relaxation/ stretching, n = 19). The intervention lasted for three months, three times per week, for at least 30 min. | 40 healthy older individuals aged between 60 to 77 years. | Physiological assessment, neurocognitive assessment, MRI scans, statistical analysis. | IGF-I levels are linked to hippocampal volume changes and putative hippocampus-dependent memory changes that seem to occur over time independently of exercise. |
Marquez et al. [55] RCT (USA) | To assess the effect of Latin dancing on cognitive function among low-active older Latinos compared to a health education control group. | The participants were divided into a dancing intervention group and an educational control group. There were 28 people in each group. The study lasted 4 months. There were two one-hour dancing lessons per week and the education program was once a week for 2 h. | 57 healthy older individuals aged 55+ years. | Physiological assessment, neurocognitive assessment, statistical analysis. | The dance group showed greater improvement in episodic memory than the health education group. A main effect for time for global cognition (p < 0.05) was also demonstrated, with participants in both groups improving. |
Muller et al. [54] RCT (Germany) | To assess whether dance training is superior to conventional strength-endurance sport activities in terms of neuroplasticity. | The participants were divided into the intervention group (dancing lessons, n = 26) and the control group (sport training, n = 26). The intervention lasted six months, 2 times for 90 min a week, and then the second phase lasted for 12 months, 90 min, once a week. | 52 healthy older subjects aged 63–80 years. | Physiological assessment, neurocognitive assessment, MRI scans, statistical analysis. | After 6 months of training, the volumes in the left precentral gyrus of the dancers had increased more than those in the sport group. Both groups showed significant improvements in attention after 6 months and in verbal memory after 18 months. |
Ordnung et al. [58] Non-RCT (Germany) | To examine the impact of exergame training on cognitive, motor and sensory functions in healthy elderly. | There was an intervention group doing the exergame training twice a week for 60 min for a period of six weeks, and one passive control group. | 30 healthy elderly with mean age: 69.79 ± 6.34. | Physiological assessment, neurocognitive assessment, statistical analysis. | The exploratory analysis showed that the exergame training group improved in sensorimotor and cognitive tasks when compared with the passive control group. |
Benefits | Limitations |
---|---|
|
|
© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Klimova, B.; Dostalova, R. The Impact of Physical Activities on Cognitive Performance among Healthy Older Individuals. Brain Sci. 2020, 10, 377. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10060377
Klimova B, Dostalova R. The Impact of Physical Activities on Cognitive Performance among Healthy Older Individuals. Brain Sciences. 2020; 10(6):377. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10060377
Chicago/Turabian StyleKlimova, Blanka, and Radka Dostalova. 2020. "The Impact of Physical Activities on Cognitive Performance among Healthy Older Individuals" Brain Sciences 10, no. 6: 377. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10060377
APA StyleKlimova, B., & Dostalova, R. (2020). The Impact of Physical Activities on Cognitive Performance among Healthy Older Individuals. Brain Sciences, 10(6), 377. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10060377