Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Cognition

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Etnier
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Wide Range

There is substantial interest in identifying the behavioral means by which to improve cognitive performance. Recent research and commercial ventures have focused on cognitive training interventions, but evidence suggests that the effects of these programs are small and task-specific. Researchers have also shown interest in exploring the potential benefits of physical activity for cognitive performance. Because the effects of physical activity have been found to be small to moderate and to be more global in nature, interest in physical activity has been growing over the past several decades. Evidence regarding the efficacy of physical activity is provided through cross-sectional studies, longitudinal prospective studies, and randomized controlled trials. When reviewed meta-analytically, small-to-moderate beneficial effects are reported for children, adults, older adults, and cognitively impaired older adults, and these effects are evident for a wide range of cognitive domains, including executive function, memory, and information processing. Researchers are currently focused on identifying the mechanisms of these effects. Most of this research has been conducted using animal models, but there is a growing body of literature with humans. From this evidence, there is support for the role of changes in cerebral structure, hippocampal perfusion, and growth factors in explaining the observed benefits. Thus far, however, the literature is quite sparse, and future research is needed to clarify our understanding of the mechanisms that provide the causal link between physical activity and cognitive performance. Research is also focused on understanding how to increase the benefits by potentially combining cognitive training with physical activity and by identifying the genetic moderators of the effects. These lines of work are designed to elucidate ways of increasing the magnitude of the benefits that can be obtained. At this point in time, the evidence with respect to the potential of physical activity for benefiting cognitive performance is quite promising, but it is critical that funding agencies commit their support to the continued exploration necessary to allow us to ultimately be able to prescribe physical activity to specific individuals with the express purpose of improving cognition.

Research … How Fun Is That? Interesting Questions Relative to the Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Etnier
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
North American Society ◽  
National Meeting ◽  
The North ◽  
American Society

In developing a senior lecture for the 2014 national meeting of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, I had the opportunity to reflect upon a career of research and to focus on three interesting questions that my colleagues and I have attempted to address. These questions have led to several studies that all revolve around identifying ways to increase the effects of exercise on cognitive performance. In particular, the questions examine the possibility of increasing effects by focusing on particular populations (e.g., older adults, children) and by increasing our understanding of dose-response relationships between exercise parameters (e.g., intensity, duration) and cognitive outcomes. I present empirical evidence relative to each of these questions and provide directions for future research on physical activity and cognitive functioning.

scholarly journals The Impact of Three Cognitive Training Interventions on Older Adults’ Physical Functioning Across 5 Years

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley A. Ross ◽  
Briana N. Sprague ◽  
Christine B. Phillips ◽  
Melissa L. O’Connor ◽  
Joan E. Dodson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Training Transfer ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Transfer Effects ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
The Impact

Objective: Physical functioning is closely associated with cognition. The current study assessed the impact of three cognitive training programs on objective measures of physical functioning across 5 years. Method: Older adults randomized to a processing speed ( n = 702), reasoning ( n = 694), or memory ( n = 703) training intervention were compared with those randomized to a no-contact control condition ( n = 698). Intention-to-treat (ITT) and treatment-received/dosage (time-varying number of training sessions) analyses were conducted. Results: There were no transfer effects in the ITT analyses. Treatment-received models demonstrated that training sessions (i.e., higher dosage) across all intervention arms transferred to better maintained Digit Symbol Copy and Turn 360 performance relative to the control group. More reasoning training transferred to better grip strength. Discussion: This is the first study to demonstrate differential longitudinal cognitive training transfer effects to three performance-based physical functioning measures. Future research should investigate mechanisms of far-transfer effects.

scholarly journals Modes and locales of physical activity

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-48
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Bungum ◽  
Melva Thompson-Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Telephone Interview ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Neighborhood Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Racially Mixed ◽  
Aging Knowledge

Older adults are important from a public health standpoint as the number and proportion of elderly in our population is increasing. Further, this segment of the population is characterized by low physical activity involvement and suffers from hypokinetic diseases at high rates. Thus, health promoters should be aware of the types of PA that older adults engage in, and where that PA occurs. The purpose of this study was to describe the modes of PA in which middle-aged and older adults engage in and locales of where that PA occurs. An additional purpose was to identify predictors of meeting PA guidelines that have been created by experts. We also sought to determine if participation in social activities predicted meeting PA guidelines, as both are important aspects of aging. Knowledge of such information could be valuable in designing PA interventions. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional and all data was collected via a telephone interview. A racially mixed sample of 350 females and 199 males completed a 52-item survey that included measures of PA behavior and neighborhood characteristics. Twenty participants failed to report their gender and were excluded from the analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of meeting PA guidelines. Results: Participant ages ranged from 45-89 years (M = 60.8). The most frequently cited mode of PA was walking, by 53.7% of the sample, most of which occurred near residences (63.6%). Only 11.2% of participants met PA guidelines by doing either moderately or vigorously intense PA. Predictors of meeting PA guidelines included doing PA in a community facility or fitness club, and participation in social activities, which approached significance. Public health personnel should recommend activities, especially walking, to older adults that can be done near their homes, and future research should assess neighborhood characteristics that are supportive of, or hinder the PA of older adults.

scholarly journals Use of a technology-based system to motivate older adults in performing physical activity: a feasibility study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Knippenberg ◽  
Annick Timmermans ◽  
Steven Palmaers ◽  
Annemie Spooren
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
System Usability

Abstract Background Maintaining or initiating regular physical activity (PA) is important for successful aging. Technology-based systems may support and stimulate older adults to initiate and persevere in performing PA. The aim of the current study was to assess to which extent a customised Kinect system is 1) a credible tool to increase PA in older adults, 2) motivating to perform PA by older adults, and 3) easy to be used in older adults.Methods A mixed-method cross-sectional feasibility study was performed in 5 aged care facilities in Flanders, Belgium. Aged participants were asked to perform a 20-30 minute test with the intelligent Activity-based Client-centred Training (i-ACT) system. After the test, the ‘Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire’ (CEQ), the ‘Intrinsic Motivation Inventory’(IMI), the System Usability Scale (SUS), and semi-structured interviews were conducted in the older adults. Feedback was gathered using the thinking aloud method in both aged participants and healthcare professionals.Results A total of 48 older adults (20 males and 28 females, mean age=81.19 (SD=8.10)), were included. The scores pertaining to system credibility and expectancy, system usability, and motivation towards use were moderate to good. Participants reported that they liked using the i-ACT system, but that the context could be more attractive by adding more visualisations. Twelve professionals stated that they observed involvement in older adults but think that i-ACT is better used in day care centres.Conclusions This study indicates that i-ACT is a usable and motivational system to engage older adults to perform PA and therefore supports successful aging. Future research is necessary to investigate the efficacy of i-ACT to perform PA and the transfer to regain and/or maintain engagement in ADLs that older adults find meaningful and purposeful at an older age. Also, further development of i-ACT is advisable to adapt the i-ACT system towards implementation at the home of older adults.Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov ID NCT04489563, 23 July 2020 - Retrospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000A39C&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0003E6F&ts=37&cx=2jhfvs

scholarly journals Combined Effect of Daily Physical Activity and Social Relationships on Sleep Disorder Among Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Data From The Kasama Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaehoon Seol ◽  
Jaehee Lee ◽  
Koki Nagata ◽  
Yuya Fujii ◽  
Kaya Joho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Disorder ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Narrow Range ◽  
Daily Physical Activity ◽  
Combined Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Background: This cross-sectional study investigated whether the daily physical activity of older adults, combined with social relationships, is associated with the risk of sleep disorder. Further, it determined whether a high level of one variable with a low level of the other leads to a significantly lower risk of sleep disorder than low levels of both. Methods: The sample comprised 988 community-dwelling older Japanese adults (mean age: 73.1 ± 5.5 years). The level of daily physical activity and range of social relationships were assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly and the Lubben Social Network Scale, respectively. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep disorder. To test linear trends and the combined effect of the two variables, both variable values were divided into tertiles. To test the combined effects, medians were calculated for the respective scores, based on which the participants were categorized into the following groups: (1) inactive with a narrow range of social relationships (n = 307), (2) inactive with a wide range of social relationships (n = 183), (3) active with a narrow range of social relationships (n = 205), and (4) active with a wide range of social relationships (n = 293). After adjusting for potential confounders, a logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results: Participants who were more physically active (odds ratio [OR]: 0.694, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.484–0.997) and those with a wide range of social relationships (OR: 0.690, 95% CI: 0.481–0.988) showed a lower prevalence of sleep disorder than those in the first tertile; these effects were independent of each other. The combined effect analysis revealed that the active group with a wide range of social relationships showed a significantly lower prevalence of sleep disorder (OR: 0.585, 95% CI: 0.404–0.847) than the inactive group with a narrow range of social relationships.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that being physically active with a wide range of social relationships is favorably associated with sleep quality. However, a high level of one variable with a low level of the other is inefficient in improving sleep quality among older adults.

scholarly journals Use of a technology-based system to motivate older adults in performing physical activity: a feasibility study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Knippenberg ◽  
Annick Timmermans ◽  
Steven Palmaers ◽  
Annemie Spooren
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
System Usability

Abstract BackgroundMaintaining or initiating regular physical activity (PA) is important for successful aging. Technology-based systems may support and stimulate older adults to initiate and persevere in performing PA. The aim of the current study was to assess to which extent a customised Kinect system is 1) a credible tool to increase PA in older adults, 2) motivating to perform PA by older adults, and 3) easy to be used in older adults. MethodsA mixed-method cross-sectional feasibility study was performed in 5 aged care facilities in Flanders, Belgium. Aged participants were asked to perform a 20-30 minute test with the intelligent Activity-based Client-centred Training (i-ACT) system. After the test, the ‘Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire’ (CEQ), the ‘Intrinsic Motivation Inventory’(IMI), the System Usability Scale (SUS), and semi-structured interviews were conducted in the older adults. Feedback was gathered using the thinking aloud method in both aged participants and healthcare professionals. ResultsA total of 48 older adults (20 males and 28 females, mean age=81.19 (SD=8.10)), were included. The scores pertaining to system credibility and expectancy, system usability, and motivation towards use were moderate to good. Participants reported that they liked using the i-ACT system, but that the context could be more attractive by adding more visualisations. Twelve professionals stated that they observed involvement in older adults but think that i-ACT is better used in day care centres. ConclusionsThis study indicates that i-ACT is a usable and motivational system to engage older adults to perform PA and therefore supports successful aging. Future research is necessary to investigate the efficacy of i-ACT to perform PA and the transfer to regain and/or maintain engagement in ADLs that older adults find meaningful and purposeful at an older age. Also, further development of i-ACT is advisable to adapt the i-ACT system towards implementation at the home of older adults.

scholarly journals Use of a technology-based system to motivate older adults in performing physical activity: a feasibility study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Knippenberg ◽  
Annick Timmermans ◽  
Steven Palmaers ◽  
Annemie Spooren
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Link Type ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
System Usability

Abstract Background Maintaining or initiating regular physical activity (PA) is important for successful aging. Technology-based systems may support and stimulate older adults to initiate and persevere in performing PA. The aim of the current study was to assess to which extent a customised Kinect system is 1) a credible tool to increase PA in older adults, 2) motivating to perform PA by older adults, and 3) easy to be used in older adults. Methods A mixed-method cross-sectional feasibility study was performed in 5 aged care facilities in Flanders, Belgium. Aged participants were asked to perform a 20–30 min test with the intelligent Activity-based Client-centred Training (i-ACT) system. After the test, the ‘Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire’ (CEQ), the ‘Intrinsic Motivation Inventory’(IMI), the System Usability Scale (SUS), and semi-structured interviews were conducted in the older adults. Feedback was gathered using the thinking aloud method in both aged participants and healthcare professionals. Results A total of 48 older adults (20 males and 28 females, mean age = 81.19 (SD = 8.10)), were included. The scores pertaining to system credibility and expectancy, system usability, and motivation towards use were moderate to good. Participants reported that they liked using the i-ACT system, but that the context could be more attractive by adding more visualisations. Twelve professionals stated that they observed involvement in older adults but think that i-ACT is better used in day care centres. Conclusions This study indicates that i-ACT is a usable and motivational system to engage older adults to perform PA and therefore supports successful aging. Future research is necessary to investigate the efficacy of i-ACT to perform PA and the transfer to regain and/or maintain engagement in ADLs that older adults find meaningful and purposeful at an older age. Also, further development of i-ACT is advisable to adapt the i-ACT system towards implementation at the home of older adults. Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov ID NCT04489563, 23 July 2020 - Retrospectively registered.

scholarly journals Exercise-Induced Improvements in Cognitive Functioning and Brain Structure in Older Adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Bartel
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Total Brain Volume ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Total Brain ◽  
Cognitive Benefits ◽  
Exercise Induced ◽  
Older Populations

Physical activity is often associated with benefits such as reduced risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease; however, the benefits of physical activity are not only limited to physical health, but also extend to cognition (Warburton, Nicol & Bredin, 2006). Exercise in older populations results in improved cognitive functioning and decreased risk of cognitive decline (Muscari et al., 2010). This current literature review examines the association between physical activity and cognitive functioning in older adults. Studies suggest that a variety of types of exercise have cognitive benefits, although it is not clear which type of activity has the largest effect. Additionally, exercise increases total brain volume and the connectivity of neural networks in areas such as the hippocampus, and decreases the presence of white matter hyperintensities in areas involved in motor control and coordination (Erickson et al., 2010; Tseng et al., 2013). Taken together, the research indicates that physical activity improves cognitive functioning and causes exercise-induced changes in the brain. Limitations of the reviewed research include a lack of generalizable results due to a lack of diversity of samples, as well as the presence of cross-sectional designs that are unable to define the direction of the relationship between exercise and cognition. Future research should investigate the inconsistencies reported in the literature with the goal of developing programs to improve cognitive function in older populations and to reduce the burden of cognitive impairment on the health care system.

scholarly journals ASSOCIATIONS OF PAIN INTENSITY WITH SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S20-S21
Author(s):  
Kushang Patel ◽  
Andrea LaCroix ◽  
Paul Crane ◽  
Rod L Walker ◽  
KatieRose Richmire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Severe Pain ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mild Pain

Abstract Exercise is recommended for several painful, age-associated conditions; however, relationships between pain intensity and objectively measured sedentary behavior and physical activity have not been investigated in older adults. Accordingly, we analyzed cross-sectional data on 936 older adults in the ACT Study who self-reported their pain intensity on a 0-10 rating scale (0=no pain; 1-3=mild pain; and 4-10=moderate/severe pain) and wore an activPAL accelerometer. A total of 181 (19.3%) reported no pain, while 564 (60.3%) and 191 (20.4%) reported mild and moderate/severe pain, respectively. Linear regression models adjusted for age and sex estimated that compared to those with no pain, participants with moderate/severe pain walked significantly fewer steps/day (b-coefficient=-778 [95%CI: -1377, -179]) and had fewer sit-to-stand transitions/day (b-coefficient=-2.9 [95%CI: -5.6, -0.1]). In contrast, there were no significant differences in these outcomes comparing no pain versus mild pain. Future research will examine effects of pain treatments (opioids) and diagnoses on accelerometer-measured outcomes.

scholarly journals Response Heterogeneity With Exercise Training and Physical Activity Interventions Among Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica F. Baird ◽  
Robert W. Motl
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mobility Impairment ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Physical Activity And Exercise

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a heterogeneous disease, both in its pathology and symptomology. This poses a challenge for the medical management and rehabilitation of MS; however, physical activity and exercise training are rehabilitation approaches that have demonstrated beneficial effects on many of the burdensome consequences of MS such as mobility impairment and fatigue. Given the heterogeneous course of MS, it is possible that outcomes of physical activity and exercise training interventions demonstrate heterogeneity both in the magnitude and pattern of change, but there has been little focus on response heterogeneity with these interventions among persons with MS. In this narrative review, a search of the existing literature was performed to identify studies that reported individual participant data, which was used to describe the variability in the response to physical activity and exercise training interventions among persons with MS. Inter-individual variability seemingly occurs across outcomes and modalities, which underscores the consideration of factors that might influence response heterogeneity. Factors related to MS disease characteristics, nervous system damage, and the degree of MS-related disability might influence individual responsiveness. Large-scale studies that permit the examination of heterogeneity and its predictors will inform future research on the area of physical activity and exercise training in MS, and lead to the development of individually tailored rehabilitation approaches that will more effectively elicit change.

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