Effect of the Juggling-Based Motor Learning Physical Activity on Well-Being in Elderly: A Pre–Post Study with a Special Training Protocol

Abstract

Background: The importance of physical activity for the elderly is undeniable. Specific forms of exercise that are able to engage practitioners, both cognitively and physically, may provide more positive consequences for health and quality of life. Juggling is one of these activities that has both of these characteristics. Methods: Twenty elderly people (70.55 ± 4.91) were included in a juggling-based motor learning protocol for twelve training units during one month of exercising. An evaluation of the proposed exercises (five-point Likert scale) and a subjective assessment of well-being (WHO-5) were conducted during the protocol. Results: All participants learned to perform a three-ball flash cascade. Exercises were rated as very attractive (4.85 ± 0.31) by the practitioners, and a statistically significant improvement in well-being in participants was shown (p < 0.01; d = 0.76). Additionally, in the participating group, the number of people at risk of depression decreased significantly after the intervention with juggling classes (p < 0.01; g = 0.5). Conclusions: The proposed protocol could be an interesting physical activity for the elderly. It can be assumed that this activity, especially when performed in a group form, can improve the well-being of participants in a short period of time.

Effect of a juggling-based physical activity on postural stability, reaction time, and attention focus in older adults: a randomized crossover study

“…Although this form of exercise seems demanding, research confirms that older people are fit enough to master juggling exercises [11,34]. One of the positive aspects of taking up this form of exercise is the growing evidence indicating that juggling improves the well-being of exercisers [34,[36][37][38]. In addition, our previous research showed that this form of exercise is attractive to older people [34].…”

“…One such activity that can engage both cognitively and physically and will be a novelty for potential participants is juggling [33,34]. Classical juggling is a form of activity that requires simultaneous throwing and catching of balls (or other objects like, rings, clubs, scarves) individually with one or both hands in a specific sequence without dropping them [34,35].…”

“…One such activity that can engage both cognitively and physically and will be a novelty for potential participants is juggling [33,34]. Classical juggling is a form of activity that requires simultaneous throwing and catching of balls (or other objects like, rings, clubs, scarves) individually with one or both hands in a specific sequence without dropping them [34,35]. It can be performed in various techniques as column exercises (where each hand throws objects in straight vertical trajectory), parabola exercises (that requires throwing objects from one hand to another) or various (which is a combination of mentioned previously column and parabola exercises) [34].…”

“…Classical juggling is a form of activity that requires simultaneous throwing and catching of balls (or other objects like, rings, clubs, scarves) individually with one or both hands in a specific sequence without dropping them [34,35]. It can be performed in various techniques as column exercises (where each hand throws objects in straight vertical trajectory), parabola exercises (that requires throwing objects from one hand to another) or various (which is a combination of mentioned previously column and parabola exercises) [34]. Although this form of exercise seems demanding, research confirms that older people are fit enough to master juggling exercises [11,34].…”

“…It can be performed in various techniques as column exercises (where each hand throws objects in straight vertical trajectory), parabola exercises (that requires throwing objects from one hand to another) or various (which is a combination of mentioned previously column and parabola exercises) [34]. Although this form of exercise seems demanding, research confirms that older people are fit enough to master juggling exercises [11,34]. One of the positive aspects of taking up this form of exercise is the growing evidence indicating that juggling improves the well-being of exercisers [34,[36][37][38].…”