Efectos de un programa cognitivo-motriz sobre la función ejecutiva en una muestra de personas mayores. [Effects of a cognitive-motor programme on executive function in a sample of elderly people].

Abstract

Efectos de un programa cognitivo-motriz sobre la función ejecutiva en una muestra de personas mayoresEffects of a cognitive-motor programme on executive function in a sample of elderly people Rafael E. Reigal Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte. Universidad de Granada Antonio Hernández-Mendo Facultad de Psicología. Universidad de Málaga El propósito de este trabajo fue analizar los efectos de un programa integrado de actividad física y estimulación cognitiva, con una duración de 20 semanas, sobre diversas variables vinculadas al constructo función ejecutiva, comparándolo con otro programa exclusivo de actividad física. Las participantes fueron 57 mujeres de la ciudad de Málaga (España), con edades comprendidas entre los 65 y 69 años (M = 66.07; DT = 1.31). Se empleó un diseño pre-post con dos grupos aleatorizados, en el que uno de ellos realizó un programa de ejercicios físicos sin estimulación cognitiva añadida y otro que desarrolló el programa integrado de actividad física y cognitiva. Los instrumentos utilizados para evaluar las habilidades cognitivas fueron el Trail Making Test (A y B) y el Test Stroop. Se realizó un análisis de la varianza bifactorial mixto, para cada variable dependiente, con el objetivo de determinar los efectos del tratamiento. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron efectos positivos en ambos grupos y diferencias a favor del programa integrado. Este trabajo contribuye a incrementar el cuerpo de conocimiento sobre la aplicación y efectos de este tipo de intervenciones.Palabras clave: actividad física; desarrollo cognitivo; mayores; bienestar. R e s u m e nCorrespondencia/correspondence:Rafael Enrique Reigal Garrido Facultad de Psicología. Universidad de Málaga. España Email: rafareigal@gmail.comThe purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of a cognitive stimulation and physical activity integrated programme, over a period of twenty weeks, on several variables linked to the executive function construct, compared with other physical activity program without additional cognitive stimulation. The participants were 57 women from Malaga City, Spain, whose age ranged between 65 and 69 years old (M = 66.07; SD = 1.31). A pre-post test design was applied to two random groups. One of them followed a programme of physical exercises without added cognitive stimulation and the other one followed the cognitive and physical activity integrated programme. The tools to evaluate the cognitive skills were Trail Making Test (A and B) and Stroop Test. In order to determine the effects of the treatment a mixed bi-factor analysis of variance was applied to each dependent variable. The results revealed positive effects in both groups and differences in favor of integrated programme. This paper helps to increase the body of knowledge on the application and effects of this type of interventions.Key words: physical activity; cognitive development; elderly; well-being. A b s t r a c t Recibido el 5 de junio de 2013; Aceptado el 29 de noviembre de 2013http://dx

Body Composition and Cognitive Functioning in a Sample of Active Elders

“…Although more work is still needed to give definitive answers to certain questions such as, the differentiated effects of physical exercise programs, how they interact with other elements of lifestyles like food and rest, or how the type of work done throughout life or other leisure tasks, might also contribute to preserving and improving cognitive functioning in people (Yanagisawa et al, 2010; Bherer et al, 2013). In fact, in recent years, evidence has emerged on the positive effects of physical exercise programs integrated with cognitive involvement tasks, which arise as an appropriate way to enhance the effects of isolated physical exercise on people’s cognitive abilities (Rey et al, 2011; Reyna et al, 2013; Reigal and Hernández-Mendo, 2014). Among other reasons, improving cognitive functioning at these ages is important, due to its involvement in social adaptation processes and adjustment to the environment (Kotwal et al, 2016).…”

“…In response to this demand, new lines of research on the cognitive benefits associated with physical activity place their attention not only in the benefits derived from the practice of aerobic activities by itself but also in programs that also require cognitive execution (Reyna et al, 2013; Diamond, 2015). The results obtained by these studies provide new data on the positive impact of physical activity on the cognitive health of older people and open the door to a new range of work pathways (Reigal and Hernández-Mendo, 2014).…”

“…Active aging is associated with positive health effects, improved psychosocial functioning, and lower mortality risk (Haskell et al, 2007; García-Molina et al, 2010; Reigal and Hernández-Mendo, 2014). Specifically, regular physical activity is associated with improvements in the cognitive functioning of older people, as evidenced in research conducted in recent years, in which positive relationships have been found with abilities such as attention, memory or executive functioning (Bherer, 2015; Daly et al, 2015; Iuliano et al, 2015; Sánchez et al, 2018).…”

Associations between Fluid Intelligence and Physical Fitness in School Children

“…Most scientific studies have highlighted that aerobic capacity is the variable or dimension that best predicts cognitive functioning [32][33][34][35]. However, different authors have emphasized that other parameters of physical fitness, such as strength, speed, and agility, could be important for cognitive improvement.…”