A Combination of Physical and Cognitive Exercise Improves Reaction Time in Persons 61–84 Years Old

Abstract

We have compared the effects of different 12-week exercise programs on simple and choice reaction and movement times in persons 61 to 84 years old. One hundred thirty-eight volunteers were randomized to either a control group, a two-day exercise group (two 60-min sessions a week of aerobic exercises), or a two-day physical plus cognitive exercise group (two 60-min sessions a week of aerobic and cognitive exercises). At follow-up, the aerobic and cognitive exercise program was found to have resulted in significant positive effects. Improvements were found in the two-day physical plus cognitive exercise group in all of the reaction parameters, particularly improvement in choice reaction time, which is used in most daily activities. Our results suggest that to improve reaction time values, it is advisable to include cognitive features into a physical exercise routine.

The Enhanced Interactive Physical and Cognitive Exercise System (iPACESTM v2.0): Pilot Clinical Trial of an In-Home iPad-Based Neuro-Exergame for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

“…Simultaneous exercise and cognitive interventions have been shown to have positive influences on cognition in older adults with a variety of exercise activities yielding similar results [ 11 , 22 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 ]. Meta-analyses comparing combined interventions to mental-only and physical-only interventions indicated that the combined intervention is more effective than the individual components [ 50 , 73 , 74 ].…”

Influence of Sequential vs. Simultaneous Dual-Task Exercise Training on Cognitive Function in Older Adults

“…However, there is some evidence that simultaneous exercise-cognitive training studies incorporating aerobic training combined with cognitive challenges (e.g., exergaming) and memory training, are associated with cognitive improvements in healthy older adults (Anderson-Hanley et al, 2012 ; Theill et al, 2013 ; Barcelos et al, 2015 ). In addition, studies that have incorporated PRT with balance training (Hiyamizu et al, 2012 ), stepping exercises (Kayama et al, 2014 ; Nishiguchi et al, 2015 ), and/or aerobic training (Leon et al, 2015 ; Yokoyama et al, 2015 ), performed with secondary cognitive or motor tasks, have also shown positive effects on cognition (Table 2 ). For example, improvements in executive function, global cognitive function and attention were observed in community dwelling older adults following 12-weeks of low-intensity aerobic and PRT performed simultaneously with arithmetic and word games, compared to an exercise-only (60-min three times a week) group (Yokoyama et al, 2015 ).…”

“…However, a limitation of many of the current simultaneous training interventions is a lack of a factorial 2 × 2 design, which makes it difficult to determine whether simultaneous exercise-cognitive programs can provide added cognitive benefits to exercise or cognitive training alone. Nonetheless, 12-weeks of a multimodal exercise program incorporating aerobic training and PRT (60-min twice per week) performed in conjunction with motor tasks (e.g., walking, object manipulation) regulated by external cues, improved choice reaction time in community-dwelling older adults, compared to a group that performed exercise only, and a usual care group (Leon et al, 2015 ). While further long-term, well-designed factorial RCTs are needed, the available data indicates that multimodal exercise programs performed under dual-task conditions provide more consistent cognitive benefits in older adults.…”

“…Cognitive improvement through simultaneous dual-task training may be shaped by the secondary attention-demanding task performed with exercise. Secondary tasks requiring a functional response to verbal and auditory cues (e.g., switching walking direction according to verbal instruction, stepping to music) or motor tasks requiring divided attention (e.g., tossing a ball while walking), have improved multiple cognitive abilities in older adults (Marmeleira et al, 2009 ; Kounti et al, 2011 ; Hars et al, 2014 ; Leon et al, 2015 ; Yokoyama et al, 2015 ). For instance, 6-months of stepping exercises (dancing) performed synchronously with verbal and motor tasks, in accordance to musical cues (60-min, once a week), led to significant improvements in executive function (and reduced the risk of falling) in community dwelling older adults at increased risk of falling, compared to usual care (Hars et al, 2014 ).…”

Multimodal Analysis of Serious Games for Cognitive and Physiological Assessment

“…Recent research has found that the combination of both cognitive and physical exercises significantly increased reaction time in elderly populations [15]. This suggests that the mind and body are connected through multiple facets.…”