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Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of active video game-based (AVG) physical activity program with aerobic exercise on cognitive performance among healthy older adults. Methods: Individuals of both sexes, aged 55 years or older, were randomly assigned to either AVG group and aerobic exercise group (active control group). For AVG program, we used games that simulated sports activities (Xbox 360 Kinect tm). The aerobic exercise program (moderate intensity) was conducted on treadmills and cycle ergometers. We used the CogState Battery (six tests) for cognitive performance, and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for global cognitive assessment. Results: Participants of the AVG group showed significant differences in executive function and delayed recall. For executive function, the number of errors decreased and increased by the number of movements per second, while the number of movements per second increased in the delayed recall test. After 12 weeks, the participants of the aerobic group showed an increase in the following characteristics: the number of movements per second in the executive function test; execution speed increased in the visual attention and short-term memory test; the number of movements per second increased in a delayed recall test. We also observed an increase in the score of MMSE. There were no significant differences between the groups, except for short-term memory in pre-intervention. Conclusion: Our results and the adherence to the program suggest that sports AVG may be used as exercise alternative for older adults because it produces effects on the cognitive performance similar to the aerobic exercise.

Changes in Cognitive Function and in the Levels of Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) in Older Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Subjected to a Cardiorespiratory Exercise Programme

“…It has recently been reported that a multi-component physical exercise program did not improve cognitive function in participants with type 2 diabetes, perhaps because of the characteristics of the exercises program and the methodology design [63]. However, our results agree with several recent studies that reported improvements in cognitive deterioration in older women who carried out an aerobic exercise programme [64][65][66][67]. On the other hand, the CG showed a worse cognitive state after the 24-week study period, with a significant decrease in MMSE score (p < 0.001).…”

When and How Video Games Can Be Good: A Review of the Positive Effects of Video Games on Well-Being

“…Given that exergames encourage the user to engage in physical activity, it is unsurprising that research in this area often focuses on their impact on physical health outcomes, such as levels of balance and cardiovascular health. For example, studies show that engaging in an exergame regimen significantly improves balance, flexibility, braking force, lower-limb muscle strength, maximal oxygen levels, and heart rate (Maillot, Perrot, Hartley, & Do, 2014; Nitz, Kuys, Isles, & Fu, 2010; Roopchand-Martin, Nelson, Gordon, & Sing, 2015), although a combination of exergames and traditional exercise has been shown to have the highest benefits on physical well-being (Guimarães, Barbosa, & Meneghini, 2018; Toulotte, Toursel, & Olivier, 2012).…”

Effects of Exergames on Brain and Cognition in Older Adults: A Review Based on a New Categorization of Combined Training Intervention

“…Most of the used exergames involved complex, upper-limb, lower-limb and whole-body movements. In a few studies, games were categorized as a function of the physical/motor capacities they prominently required (i.e., endurance, strength, motor coordination, motor ability, balance control…) (e.g., Maillot et al, 2012 ; Ordnung et al, 2017 ; Bacha et al, 2018 ; Guimarães et al, 2018 ; Gouveia et al, 2021 ; Moreira et al, 2021 ; for an illustration, Peng et al, 2020 ). On the other hand, their cognitive contents were scarcely precisely described (for an exception, Bacha et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Different commercial products were used to implement MDT. The Xbox Kinect console (+ Kinect sensors allowing to control an avatar) was the most frequently used ( Kayama et al, 2014 ; Ordnung et al, 2017 ; Bacha et al, 2018 ; Guimarães et al, 2018 ; Htut et al, 2018 ; Moreira et al, 2021 ), together with the Nintendo Wii package ( Maillot et al, 2012 ) and Dance Dance Revolution ( Chuang et al, 2015 ). Lab-customized exergames were also used in two studies ( Peng et al, 2020 ; Gouveia et al, 2021 ).…”