A quasi-experimental pilot study to evaluate the impact of physical exercise on cognitive functions in healthy older women. (Preprint)

Abstract

The population of people over 65 years of age is currently growing thanks to social and health policies. This brings with it an increase in age-related diseases due to a series of morphological and physiological changes in these population groups.

We aimed to study the effect of a physical exercise program on neurocognitive functions.

Methods. A pilot quasi-experimental study was carried out with a sample of 73 healthy female subjects who were divided into two groups: the intervention group and the control group. Both groups underwent a neuropsychological evaluation before and after the intervention. Subjects in the intervention group performed physical exercise 3 times a week, 50 minutes in each session. The subjects in the control group did not perform any type of physical exercise and completed their activities of daily living.

Results. The intervention group improved cognitive functions after the intervention and obtained higher scores than the control group. No significant differences were found between the intervention groups regarding age, year of schooling and marital status, and educational level. Conclusion: Regular physical exercise (Geriatric Revitalization Program) im-proves global cognitive function, visoconstructive capacity, and memory functions: visual memory and short-term memory.

Conclusion: Regular physical exercise (Geriatric Revitalization Program) improves global cognitive function, visoconstructive capacity, and memory functions: visual memory and short-term memory