D’Aurizio G, Festucci F, Di Pompeo I, Tempesta D, Curcio G. Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Functioning: The Role of Cognitive Reserve and Active Aging.
Brain Sci 2023;
13:1581. [PMID:
38002541 PMCID:
PMC10670180 DOI:
10.3390/brainsci13111581]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The increase in average life expectancy necessitates the identification of possible mechanisms capable of promoting "active aging" to ensure adequate levels of global functioning. Numerous studies show that regular physical activity promotes, even in the elderly, a state of functional psychophysical well-being capable of slowing down age-related cognitive decline. This study aimed to clarify whether, and how, the intensity of physical activity can modulate cognitive and executive skills by influencing specific psychological variables.
METHODS
Our sample consisted of 151 senior subjects divided into hikers (HIK), gentle gymnastics (GYM), and sedentary (SED), who practice intense, moderate, and reduced physical activity, respectively. A battery of psychological questionnaires was administrated to evaluate attentional skills, decision-making, the ability to implement targeted behaviors, perceived self-efficacy, and psychophysical well-being. We included: the Mini-Mental State Examination, Cognitive Reserve Index Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Letter Cancellation Test, Everyday Competence Questionnaire, and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
RESULTS
Comparisons between the scores reported by the three groups showed that the HIK group differs from the others with respect to most of the measurements, presenting better mood and cognitive performance, and a specific psychological profile. On the contrary, the GYM group appeared to have a greater affinity with the SED group than with the HIK group, both cognitively and psychologically.
CONCLUSIONS
Types of physical activity, as well as the intensity and frequency with which they are practiced, are factors that promote an active aging process, protecting the psychophysical well-being and overall cognitive functioning of the elderly.
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