Effects of motor practice on cognitive disorders in older adults

Abstract

The demographics of our societies have changed drastically during the past few decades. The general population is aging rapidly as human life spans continue to expand and more adults are set to mature during the next quarter century. This aging process has numerous implications for the way we live and will have particularly important impacts on health and healthcare. In particular, substantial evidence suggests that cognitive-motor function deteriorates considerably as the result of inactive life style, biological aging, and cognitive impairments. The number of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), an agingrelated cognitive disorder, is expected to increase significantly during the next 40 years. The development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD can exaggerate the functional declines observed in cognitive or motor performance. The functional declines affect an array of social, cognitive, mental, physical, and motor activities in our daily lives. However, recent studies suggest that cognitive, physical, motor practice, or skill learning can improve motor speed, smoothness, and accuracy in both MCI and AD patients and their age-matched healthy peers. From theoretical and practical perspectives, this paper addresses several critical aspects of motor deficits and the kinematical characteristics of motor skill development in MCI and AD populations. Empirical data will be presented relative to the sensory-motor functions of MCI and AD, the motor skill acquisition, exercise rehabilitation in older adults with memory loss, as well as the implications for therapies. Finally, this review concludes with thoughts and suggestions for future research in these areas.

Enhancing cognitive functioning in the elderly: multicomponent vs resistance training

“…Recently, coordination training has been demonstrated to positively affect executive functions, possibly through mechanisms different from those involved in cardiovascular training 10. Also, adding virtual reality cognitive challenges to stationary cycling has been proposed as a more efficacious mean than traditional physical exercise for improving executive functions in older adults 35…”

“…In contrast, not much attention has been paid to evaluate the nonphysical components of exercise (ie, the complexity of the cognitive or coordinative demands inherent in movement tasks),9 which might contribute to its cognitive outcomes 2,10. The paucity of longitudinal exercise interventions challenging neuromuscular coordination is surprising, since studies on motor training clearly demonstrate that movement task complexity and the related involvement of executive function have a strong impact on neuroplasticity and therefore on cognitive function 11.…”

Adaptations of Prefrontal Brain Activity, Executive Functions, and Gait in Healthy Elderly Following Exergame and Balance Training: A Randomized-Controlled Study

“…Furthermore, compared to conventional balance training this type of training differently modulates prefrontal brain activity and EFs (Eggenberger et al, 2016). It seems important, in this context, that interventions provide physical activity with decision-making opportunities because these are believed to facilitate the improvement of both motor performance and cognitive function (Yan and Zhou, 2009). …”

A cognitive-motor intervention using a dance video game to enhance foot placement accuracy and gait under dual task conditions in older adults: a randomized controlled trial

“…Thus, cognitive elements should be taken into account when designing an exercise regimen with the aim to preserve or improve walking skills in older adults [19,20]. Interventions should thereby focus on executive functioning processes [19], in particular on divided attention [21], and should provide physical activities with decision-making opportunities because these are believed to be able to facilitate the development of both physical performance and brain functions [22]. …”