The Effects of 12-Week Physical Exercise Tapping High-level Cognitive Functions
Author(s) -
Zhiguang Ji,
Tian Feng,
Hongbiao Wang
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advances in cognitive psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.507
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 1895-1171
DOI - 10.5709/acp-0284-5
Subject(s) - stroop effect , cognition , cardiorespiratory fitness , executive functions , balance (ability) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , psychology , physical exercise , medicine , test (biology) , paleontology , neuroscience , biology
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical exercise tapping high-level cognitive functions on both cognitive function and fitness in older adults. In total, 96 healthy older adults took part in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to four groups: a cognitive training group (CG), physical exercise group (PG), simultaneous cognitive training and physical exercise group (C+PG), and the healthy control group (HG; received physical exercise materials but did not participate in a cognitive or exercise programme). The outcomes were the changes in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), timed up-and-go (TUG) test, and the computerized modified Stroop task, which included two conditions, a naming condition (nonexecutive) and an executive condition. The results showed that the dynamic balance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and physical activity levels of the PG and C+PG were significantly better than those of the HG after the 12-week intervention. The times of the TUG test in these two groups were also significantly faster than those in the HG. Additionally, the C+PG exhibited better dual-task function than the PG. Over 12 weeks, the CG, PG, and C+PG demonstrated improved performance of executive function, but only the C+PG showed a general facilitative effect on nonexecutive control. Physical exercise tapping high-level cognitive functions and cognitive training can thus improve executive function more quickly than physical exercise alone. Moreover, physical exercise tapping high-level cognitive functions showed better fitness improvement than cognitive training alone, especially in dynamic balance.