Visuomotor memory in elderly: effect of a physical exercise program

Abstract

Memory, namely visuomotor memory, is one of the most essential cognitive functions in elder's life. Among others, regular exercise seems to be an important factor in counteracting age-related-cognitive skills changes and thus prevent memory loss. However, in spite of the importance of visuomotor memory, the results of the scarce studies concerning the infl uence of exercise on this capacity are contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical exercise (PE) in visuomotor memory (VMM) of elderly adults in function of gender and age. VMM (time spent in performing the test and errors during the execution) of 74 subjects aged 60-90 years, being 36 practitioners of PE (P -mean age of 70.22 ± 0.90 years) and 38 non-practitioners (NP -mean age of 68.26 ± 1.12 years) were assessed by VMM Test. The results showed that: a) P presented a better performance in the time of performing the test and in the number of errors committed compared to NP; b) Gender and age did not infl uence the VMM performance. Data suggest that PE seems to have positive effect in the VMM, independently of gender and age.

Comparative study of Level of Physical Activity and Mental State for the Elderly

“…In Silva et al [27] study in order to investigate the effect of a physical exercise program (SP), the memory has been identified that the EP had a positive effect on the memory of the elderly regardless of the variables sex and age.…”

Aging Management: Organization and Characterization of Physical Activity, Sport and Leisure Practices for the elderly public in the city of Canindé/CE/Brazil

“…O aumento do número de anos com vida saudável e a diminuição do total de anos com doença e incapacidade parecem constituir a melhor estratégia para travar a subida de custos com a saúde. Iniciativas que envolvam o idoso em atividades físicas e de interação social, no quadro de redes de suporte social informal ou formal, parecem ser determinantes para a revitalização das independências funcional, cognitiva e social (Fechine, Trompieri 2011;Fechine, Trompieri 2012;, Fechine et al 2013bSilva et al 2014).…”