Influence of exercise on cognitive processing of older woman during dual-task balance: sixteen case reports

• Main Author: Ana Carolina de Mello Alves Rodrigues
• Publication Date: 2020
• Other Authors: Rodolpho Cesar dos Reis Tinini, Valeska Gatica-Rojas, Alfredo Maurício Batista de Paula, André Luís Sena Guimarães, Renato Sobral Monteiro Júnior
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositório Institucional da UFMG
• Download full: https://doi.org/10.20338/bjmb.v14i01.160; http://hdl.handle.net/1843/43533
• topic: Aptidão física em idosos; Exercícios físicos para idosos; Cognição em idosos; Idosos - Avaliação funcional

Background: Older adults require special attention during cognitive-motor tasks since automatic postural control is reduced. AIM: To analyze the effect of physical exercise on dual-task processing of healthy older women performing standing balance. Method: Sixteen healthy older women were assessed in a quiet standing position with eyes open/closed (single-task, EO, and EC) and with a cognitive task (dual-task, DT) using a Wii Balance Board. All individuals performed training (aerobic, strength, and virtual reality exercises) at moderate effort. Center of pressure (CoP) anteroposterior and mediolateral displacement were analyzed over time pre- and post-training. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare pre- and post-training. Results: Greater variability in CoP was observed pre- compared to post-training. In the DT, there was a significance decrease in post-training variability compared to pre-training (p<0.01). Conclusion: Physical exercise programs for older adults may contribute to simultaneously improving motor-cognitive performances, associated with improvement in the divided attention.