The Effect of a Single Bout of Aerobic Exercise Versus a Single Bout of Balance and Coordination Exercise on Cognitive Function Among Older Adults

The cognitive decline that characterizes aging has led researchers to examine ways to improve cognitive functions, both in the long and short term. One of the ways examined by many researchers is physical activity and its impact on cognitive functioning in older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility that a single session of aerobic or balance and coordination training may improve cognitive functions among older adults. The study involved 30 physically active participants of an average age of 73. Participants performed computerized cognitive tests to assess attention and executive functions in five sessions: two without intervention, and three following three experimental conditions: single aerobic training, single balance and coordination training and a control (reading while sitting) condition. The interval between sessions was at least two weeks. The order of the intervention between participants was random. The main findings of the study indicate that a single session of aerobic training, as well as balance and coordination training, led to a higher score in the attention test in comparison to the control condition. However, in the executive function category, the score after aerobic training or after the balance and coordination training was not significantly different from the control condition. This finding suggests that older adults may perform aerobic or balance and coordination exercises for 30 minutes for improved performance of an attentional- based task.