Fitness Effects on the Cognitive Function of Older Adults

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley Colcombe ◽  
Arthur F. Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Fitness Effects ◽  
Fitness Training ◽  
Study Participants

A meta-analytic study was conducted to examine the hypothesis that aerobic fitness training enhances the cognitive vitality of healthy but sedentary older adults. Eighteen intervention studies published between 1966 and 2001 were entered into the analysis. Several theoretically and practically important results were obtained. Most important, fitness training was found to have robust but selective benefits for cognition, with the largest fitness-induced benefits occurring for executive-control processes. The magnitude of fitness effects on cognition was also moderated by a number of programmatic and methodological factors, including the length of the fitness-training intervention, the type of the intervention, the duration of training sessions, and the gender of the study participants. The results are discussed in terms of recent neuroscientific and psychological data that indicate cognitive and neural plasticity is maintained throughout the life span.

scholarly journals When Culture Influences Genes: Positive Age Beliefs Amplify the Cognitive-Aging Benefit of APOE ε2

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (8) ◽  
pp. e198-e203
Author(s):  
Becca R Levy ◽  
Martin D Slade ◽  
Robert H Pietrzak ◽  
Luigi Ferrucci
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Cognitive Benefit ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Objectives Most studies of aging cognition have focused on risk factors for worse performance and on either genetic or environmental factors. In contrast, we examined whether 2 factors known to individually benefit aging cognition may interact to produce better cognition: environment-based positive age beliefs and the APOE ε2 gene. Method The sample consisted of 3,895 Health and Retirement Study participants who were 60 years or older at baseline and completed as many as 5 assessments of cognition over 8 years. Results As predicted, positive age beliefs amplified the cognitive benefit of APOE ε2. In contrast, negative age beliefs suppressed the cognitive benefit of APOE ε2. We also found that positive age beliefs contributed nearly 15 times more than APOE ε2 to better cognition. Discussion This study provides the first known evidence that self-perceptions can influence the impact of a gene on cognition. The results underscore the importance of combined psychosocial and biological approaches to understanding cognitive function in older adults.

Influence of Aerobic Fitness on the Neurocognitive Function of Older Adults

2000 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur F. Kramer ◽  
Sowon Hahn ◽  
Edward McAuley
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Neurocognitive Function ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Task Coordination ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
New Hypothesis

The article provides a brief review of the literature on the relationship between aerobic Fitness and neurocognitive function, particularly as it relates to older adults. Cross-sectional studies provide strong support for the beneficial influence of fitness on neurocognitive function. The longitudinal or interventional literature, however, provides more equivocal support for this relationship. In discussing the literature, the authors introduce a new hypothesis, the executive control/fitness hypothesis, which suggests that selective neurocognitive benefits will be observed with improvements in aerobic fitness; that is, executive control processes that include planning, scheduling, task coordination, inhibition, and working memory will benefit from enhanced fitness. Preliminary evidence for this hypothesis is discussed.

scholarly journals The influence of aerobic fitness on cerebral white matter integrity and cognitive function in older adults: Results of a one-year exercise intervention

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 2972-2985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle W. Voss ◽  
Susie Heo ◽  
Ruchika S. Prakash ◽  
Kirk I. Erickson ◽  
Heloisa Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
White Matter Integrity ◽  
Cerebral White Matter ◽  
One Year

scholarly journals Examining the effectiveness of a cognitive intervention to improve cognitive function in a population of older adults living with HIV: a pilot study

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy A. Frain ◽  
Ling Chen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Living With Hiv

Objective: The purpose of this randomized-controlled pilot study was to explore the effectiveness of a home-based computerized cognitive training intervention in improving cognitive function in a population of older adults with mild cognitive impairment who are living with HIV. Methods: In all, 24 participants were enrolled in this study. All study participants were impaired [defined as Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score < 26]; 12 were randomly assigned to a computer-training intervention group and 12 to a control group. The intervention group used a home-based computerized cognitive training program for 8 weeks, while the control group received health-related newsletter via email and follow-up phone calls. Cognitive function was measured at study entry, immediately post intervention, and 8 and 16 weeks post intervention Results: This study achieved a 92% retention rate, losing two persons from the intervention group. Participants in the intervention group scored significantly higher on cognitive testing immediately post intervention compared to the control group: F(1, 19) = 4.92, p = 0.04. The partial Eta squared of 0.32 indicates a small to moderate effect size. Discussion: Cognitive improvement was seen immediately after the intervention, and cognitive improvement was still evident 16 weeks post intervention. Cognitive training could be considered as an option for older adults with HIV experiencing mild cognitive impairment.

scholarly journals Short daytime napping reduces the risk of cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults: a 5-year longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaori Kitamura ◽  
Yumi Watanabe ◽  
Kazutoshi Nakamura ◽  
Chikako Takano ◽  
Naomi Hayashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Daytime Nap ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Background Beneficial effects of napping on cognition have been suggested in cross-sectional studies. This study aimed to clarify longitudinal associations between cognitive decline and sleep characteristics, particularly daytime napping, over a 5-year period in older adults. Methods Study participants were 389 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years living in Ojiya City, Niigata, Japan. Baseline and follow-up examinations were conducted in 2011–2013 and 2016–2018, respectively. Trained nurses visited and interviewed participants to collect the following information at baseline and follow-up: demographic characteristics, disease history, lifestyle habits including bedtime, sleeping hours, and daytime nap duration, and cognitive function. The assessment of cognitive function was performed using the revised Hasegawa’s dementia scale (HDS-R), with cognitive decline defined as a change in the HDS-R of ≤ − 3 over 5 years. Odds ratios (ORs) for cognitive decline were calculated using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results Mean age of participants was 74.6 years (SD 6.4), and the cumulative incidence of cognitive decline was 106/389 (27.3%). The adjusted OR for 1–29 min daytime napping was significantly lower compared to that for no napping (OR = 0.47, 95%CI: 0.23–0.96). Earlier bedtime was associated with cognitive decline (adjusted P for trend = 0.0480). Conclusion Short daytime napping (< 30 min) reduces the risk of cognitive decline over 5 years for community-dwelling older people. A future study will be necessary to confirm the effect of short napping on the reduction of risk for clinically diagnosed dementia.

scholarly journals 1018 Sleep and Fatigue: Examining the Impact on Cognitive Function in Older Adults Living with HIV

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A387-A387
Author(s):  
J A Frain ◽  
L Chen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Daytime Sleepiness ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Hiv Virus ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction Poor sleep affects 75% of older adults living with HIV, negatively impacting health. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between sleep, fatigue and cognitive function in older adults living with HIV with well-controlled HIV virus. Methods Forty-three adults aged 50 years and older living with HIV were recruited for this study. Participants provided demographic and health information. Participants wore actigraph watches continuously for one week, while completing a daily sleep diary, fatigue instrument, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. After one week participants returned and completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and performed cognitive testing including the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Results Fluid cognition (measured with the Cognition Battery) positively correlated with hours of sleep measured via actigraph the night immediately prior to testing (p = .008), but not by average hours slept over the week. Average daily fatigue and daytime sleepiness were also correlated with fluid cognition (p = .012, p = .032 respectively). Similar results were found when cognition was measured using the MoCA, with sleep (p = .001), average fatigue (p = .017), and daytime sleepiness (p = .028) all correlated with cognition. When sleep was measured subjectively, Pearson correlation indicated that there was a statistically significant negative relationship of moderate strength between global sleep and cognitive function (r = -.47, p = .015). Conclusion The study provides evidence that poor sleep, measured objectively or subjectively, is associated with cognitive impairment. Despite we-controlled HIV virus, 86% of study participants had global sleep scores indicating poor sleep. Sleep measured objectively resulted in less nightly sleep than by subjective measure, 4.5 vs 6.07 average hours per night. Studying effective interventions to improve sleep should be a next step as a way of improving cognitive function for this population. Support This study was supported through a grant funded by Sigma Theta Tau International and the National Gerontological Nurses Association.

Age-related Shift in Neural Complexity Related to Task Performance and Physical Activity

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer J. Heisz ◽  
Michelle Gould ◽  
Anthony R. McIntosh
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Local Information ◽  
Multiscale Entropy ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Brain

The human brain undergoes marked structural changes with age including cortical thinning and reduced connectivity because of the degradation of myelin. Although these changes can compromise cognitive function, the brain is able to functionally reorganize to compensate for some of this structural loss. However, there are interesting individual differences in outcome: When comparing individuals of similar age, those who engage in regular physical activity are less affected by the typical age-related decline in cognitive function. This study used multiscale entropy to reveal a shift in the way the brain processes information in older adults that is related to physical activity. Specifically, older adults who were more physically active engaged in more local neural information processing. Interestingly, this shift toward local information processing was also associated with improved executive function performance in older adults, suggesting that physical activity may help to improve aspects of cognitive function in older adults by biasing the neural system toward local information processing. In the face of age-related structural decline, the neural plasticity that is enhanced through physical activity may help older adults maintain cognitive health longer into their lifespan.

Robot-Led Piano Lessons May Improve Cognitive Function: AFeasibility Study in a Sample with Mild Cognitive Impairment

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
Bailey Collette ◽  
George Mois ◽  
Jenay M. Beer ◽  
Laura Boccanfuso ◽  
Aditi Ramachadran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Assistive Robots ◽  
Effective Form ◽  
Piano Lessons

Cognitive training has been shown to increase neural plasticity and cognitive reserve, potentially reducing the risk of developing dementia. Music learning, specifically piano playing, has been shown to be an effective form of multimodal cognitive training. This pilot study explored the feasibility and efficacy of using a socially assistive robot to provide a piano learning cognitive training intervention to older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Participants (N=11) engaged in a four-week feasibility study, which included a one-hour piano lesson per week led by a remotely controlled robot. Participants experienced improved cognitive function in the verbal memory ( p=0.04), executive function ( p=0.01), reaction time ( p=0.04), and cognitive flexibility ( p=0.003) domains, as well as in the calculated neurocognitive index score ( p=0.03). Socially assistive robots may have the potential to provide cognitive training in the form of piano lessons for older adults with mild cognitive impairment, especially adults who cannot access traditional services.

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