scholarly journals Martial Art Training and Cognitive Performance in Middle-Aged Adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 277-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Douris ◽  
Christopher Douris ◽  
Nicole Balder ◽  
Michael LaCasse ◽  
Amir Rand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Motor Tasks ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Martial Art ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

AbstractCognitive performance includes the processes of attention, memory, processing speed, and executive functioning, which typically declines with aging. Previous research has demonstrated that aerobic and resistance exercise improves cognitive performance immediately following exercise. However, there is limited research examining the effect that a cognitively complex exercise such as martial art training has on these cognitive processes. Our study compared the acute effects of 2 types of martial art training to aerobic exercise on cognitive performance in middle-aged adults. We utilized a repeated measures design with the order of the 3 exercise conditions randomly assigned and counterbalanced. Ten recreational middle-aged martial artists (mean age = 53.5 ± 8.6 years) participated in 3 treatment conditions: a typical martial art class, an atypical martial art class, and a one-hour walk at a self-selected speed. Cognitive performance was assessed by the Stroop Color and Word test. While all 3 exercise conditions improved attention and processing speed, only the 2 martial art conditions improved the highest order of cognitive performance, executive function. The effect of the 2 martial art conditions on executive function was not different. The improvement in executive function may be due to the increased cortical demand required by the more complex, coordinated motor tasks of martial art exercise compared to the more repetitive actions of walking.

scholarly journals Slow Wave Sleep and EEG Delta Spectral Power are Associated with Cognitive Function in Parkinson’s Disease

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Kimberly H. Wood ◽  
Adeel A. Memon ◽  
Raima A. Memon ◽  
Allen Joop ◽  
Jennifer Pilkington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Slow Wave ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Slow Wave Sleep ◽  
Spectral Power ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Domain Scores

Background: Cognitive and sleep dysfunction are common non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Objective: Determine the relationship between slow wave sleep (SWS) and cognitive performance in PD. Methods: Thirty-two PD participants were evaluated with polysomnography and a comprehensive level II neurocognitive battery, as defined by the Movement Disorders Society Task Force for diagnosis of PD-mild cognitive impairment. Raw scores for each test were transformed into z-scores using normative data. Z-scores were averaged to obtain domain scores, and domain scores were averaged to determine the Composite Cognitive Score (CCS), the primary outcome. Participants were grouped by percent of SWS into High SWS and Low SWS groups and compared on CCS and other outcomes using 2-sided t-tests or Mann-Whitney U. Correlations of cognitive outcomes with sleep architecture and EEG spectral power were performed. Results: Participants in the High SWS group demonstrated better global cognitive function (CCS) (p = 0.01, effect size: r = 0.45). In exploratory analyses, the High SWS group showed better performance in domains of executive function (effect size: Cohen’s d = 1.05), language (d = 0.95), and processing speed (d = 1.12). Percentage of SWS was correlated with global cognition and executive function, language, and processing speed. Frontal EEG delta power during N3 was correlated with the CCS and executive function. Cognition was not correlated with subjective sleep quality. Conclusion: Increased SWS and higher delta spectral power are associated with better cognitive performance in PD. This demonstrates the significant relationship between sleep and cognitive function and suggests that interventions to improve sleep might improve cognition in individuals with PD.

Long‐term adiposity is associated with poorer cognitive performance in middle‐aged adults at high risk of Alzheimer’s disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (S10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca West ◽  
Ramit Ravona‐Springer ◽  
Inbal Sharvit‐Ginon ◽  
Sapir Golan ◽  
Anthony Heymann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

Improving Speed and Accuracy of Word Recognition in Reading Disabled Children: An Evaluation of Two Computer Program Variations

1988 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew L. Cohen ◽  
Joseph K. Torgesen ◽  
Jeffrey L. Torgesen
Keyword(s):  
Computer Program ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Word Reading ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Disabled Children ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Reading Vocabulary ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
Speed And Accuracy ◽  
Reading Disabled

The present study investigated the relative effectiveness of two versions of a computer program designed to increase the sight-word reading vocabulary of reading disabled children. One version required children to type words into the computer as part of the practice activity; in the other no typing was involved. Subjects were nine reading disabled students, average age 10 years, 7 months. A repeated-measures design was used to expose all subjects three times to two treatment conditions and a no-practice control condition. Accuracy and speed of reading, as well as spelling accuracy for multisyllable words were measured in pre- and posttests. Both versions of the program proved to be equally effective in improving speed and accuracy of reading words, but the typing version was more effective in increasing spelling accuracy. However, students enjoyed the no-typing version better, and they were able to attain mastery levels for new words on this version faster than on the typing version. Implications of these results for reading software design are considered.

P4-095: Association between variants in newly discovered Alzheimer's susceptibility genes and longitudinal cognitive performance in late middle-aged adults: The WRAP cohort

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (4S_Part_18) ◽  
pp. P666-P666
Author(s):  
Corinne Engelman ◽  
Rebecca Koscik ◽  
Erin Jonaitis ◽  
Bruce Hermann ◽  
Asenath LaRue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Susceptibility Genes ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

scholarly journals Prescription Medications and Co-Morbidities in Late Middle-Age are Associated with Greater Cognitive Declines: Results from WRAP

2022 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lianlian Du ◽  
Rebecca Langhough Koscik ◽  
Nathaniel A. Chin ◽  
Lisa C. Bratzke ◽  
Karly Cody ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Health History ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Increased Risk

The present study investigated: 1) sex differences in polypharmacy, comorbidities, self-rated current health (SRH), and cognitive performance, 2) associations between comorbidities, polypharmacy, SRH, and objective measures of health, and 3) associations of these factors with longitudinal cognitive performance. Analyses included 1039 eligible Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention (WRAP) participants who were cognitively unimpaired at baseline and had ≥2 visits with cognitive composites, self-reported health history, and concurrent medication records. Repeated measures correlation (rmcorr) examined the associations between medications, co-morbidities, SRH, and objective measures of health (including LIfestyle for BRAin Health Index (LIBRA), and depression). Linear mixed-effect models examined associations between medications, co-morbidities, and cognitive change over time using a preclinical Alzheimer’s cognitive composite (PACC3) and cognitive domain z-scores (executive function, working memory, immediate learning, and delayed recall). In secondary analyses, we also examined whether the number of medications interacted with co-morbidities and whether they modified age-related cognitive trajectories. The number of prescribed medications was associated with worse SRH and a higher number of self-reported co-morbidities. More prescribed medications were associated with a faster decline in executive function, and more comorbidities were associated with faster PACC3 decline. Those with a non-elevated number of co-morbidities and medications performed an average of 0.26 SD higher (better) in executive function and an average of 0.18 SD higher on PACC3 than those elevated on both. Associations between medications, co-morbidities, and executive function, and PACC3 suggest that persons with more co-morbidities and medications may be at increased risk of reaching clinical levels of impairment earlier than healthier, less medicated peers.

scholarly journals Changes in Psychological and Cognitive Outcomes after Green versus Suburban Walking: A Pilot Crossover Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (16) ◽  
pp. 2894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junia N. de Brito ◽  
Zachary C. Pope ◽  
Nathan R. Mitchell ◽  
Ingrid E. Schneider ◽  
Jean M. Larson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Crossover Study ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Directed Attention ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

This study investigated the acute effects of repeated walking sessions within green and suburban environments on participants’ psychological (anxiety and mood) and cognitive (directed-attention) outcomes. Twenty-three middle-aged adults (19 female) participated in a non-randomized crossover study comprised of once-weekly 50-min moderate-intensity walking sessions. Participants walked for three weeks in each of two treatment conditions: green and suburban, separated by a two-week washout period. Eleven participants completed green walking first and 12 suburban walking first. For each walk, we used validated psychological questionnaires to measure pre- and post-walk scores for: (1) mood, evaluated via the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS); (2) anxiety, assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S); and (3) directed-attention, measured using the visual Backwards Digit Span test (BDS). Repeated measures linear mixed models assessed pre- to post-walk changes within-treatment conditions and post-walk contrasts between-treatment conditions. Results indicated that anxiety decreased after green walking and increased after suburban walking (−1.8 vs. +1.1 units, respectively; p = 0.001). For mood, positive affect improved after green walking and decreased after suburban walking (+2.3 vs. −0.3 units, respectively; p = 0.004), and negative affect decreased after green walking and remained similar after suburban walking (−0.5 vs. 0 units, respectively; p = 0.06). Directed-attention did not improve from pre- to post-walk for either condition. Our results suggested that green walking may be more effective at reducing state anxiety and increasing positive affect compared to suburban walking.

scholarly journals Improved metabolic function and cognitive performance in middle-aged adults following a single dose of wild blueberry

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian R. Whyte ◽  
Sajida Rahman ◽  
Lynne Bell ◽  
Indika Edirisinghe ◽  
Robert Krikorian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Dose ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Metabolic Function ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Middle Aged Adults ◽  
Wild Blueberry

scholarly journals Device-Measured Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity and Aerobic Fitness Are Independent Correlates of Cognitive Performance in Healthy Middle-Aged Adults—Results from the SCAPIS Pilot Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (24) ◽  
pp. 5136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria M. Ekblom ◽  
Örjan B. Ekblom ◽  
Mats Börjesson ◽  
Göran Bergström ◽  
Christina Jern ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Verbal Ability ◽  
Executive Attention ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

High aerobic fitness, more moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and less sedentary behavior (SED) have all been suggested to promote cognitive functions, but it is unclear whether they are independent predictors of specific cognitive domains. This study aimed to investigate to what extent aerobic fitness MVPA and SED are independently associated with cognitive performance among middle-aged Swedish adults. We acquired device-based measures of aerobic fitness, cognitive performance and percent daily time spent in MVPA and SED in Swedish adults (n = 216; 54–66 years old). Aerobic fitness was associated with better performance at one out of two tests of speed/attention and one out of four tests of executive attention, and with worse performance at one of seven tests of memory. Increasing %MVPA was associated with better performance at one out of seven tests of memory and two out of three tests of verbal ability, whereas increasing %SED was associated with better performance at all four tests of executive attention and four out of seven tests of memory. These findings suggest that aerobic fitness, %MVPA and %SED are partly independent correlates of cognitive performance. To fully understand the association between SED and performance at several tests of cognitive function, future investigations might attempt to investigate intellectually engaging SED (such as reading books) separately from mentally undemanding SED (such as watching TV).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document