Effects of two programmes of combined Land-Based and Water-Based exercise on the cognitive function and fitness levels of healthy older adults

Abstract

Very little is known about the influence training programmes that combine land-based and water-based exercises might have on the cognitive function of healthy older people. Aim: to analyze the combined effect of two physical exercise programs (water-based and land-based) on fitness level and cognitive function. Method: 15 senior citizens carried out a water and land-based exercise program (EF group), while 22 senior citizens followed the same program with the addition of cognitive training performed in water (EC group). The effects of both programs were assessed by means of the Symbol Digit Modalities, the Two-minute step and the Timed-up-and-go tests. Results: The data obtained showed that both programs had significant effects on the participants' fitness level and cognitive function, although only those in the EC group showed a significantly higher improvement. Conclusion: The combination of water-based and land-based exercise may lead to improvements in cognitive functions and fitness levels in healthy older adults. The inclusion of cognitive exercises performed in water seems to maximise these effects. Keywords: cognitive enhancement. quality of life. learning and memory. physical exercise in water. physical activity. exercise aerobic.

Cognitive function of Brazilian elderly persons: longitudinal study with non-clinical community sample

“…The working memory also was found stable, supporting another study that assessed the same population with an active lifestyle (Carral et al, 2017). Participants have also maintained scores in cognitive tasks that measured immediate memory and immediate verbal episodic memory.…”

“…Physical exercise and intellectual activities have been associated with improved performance in activities that measure the processing speed, working memory and executive function (Carral, Curras, P erez, & Su arez, 2017;Murphy & Cunningham, 2012;Murphy, O'sullivan, & Kelleher, 2014), contributing to an upgrading in processing speed levels and reasoning skills in this population (Engeroff, Ingmann, & Banzer, 2018;Sanchez-Lopez et al, 2018;Pedroso et al, 2018). That is, an active routine may benefit mental and cognitive health, as well as longevity (Araujo, 2017).…”

The Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Cognitive Function: Systematic Review

“…The chronic aquatic exercise programs ranged from 7 days to 6 months, whereas several studies employed a single bout of aquatic exercise [9,14]. Most of the aquatic exercise programs focused on aquatic exercise alone, whereas some evaluated it in combination with cranial electrotherapy stimulation [8], cognitive training [15][16], and land-based exercise training [17]. The cognitive outcomes varied, including global measures of cognition (e.g., MMSE; Mini-Mental State Exam), executive function, attention, learning and memory, language fluency, cognitive communication, cerebral oxygenation, and biomarkers (e.g., BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1)) of cognitive function.…”