Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of a long-term aerobic physical exercise program in elderly institutionalized cognitively normal subjects. BACKGROUND: Physical exercise is a low-cost non-pharmacologic approach that may have an effect on cognitive decline in the elderly. Scientific evidence to date of its effect on institutionalized non-demented elderly is scarce. DESIGN/METHODS: Randomized control study performed on institutionalized subjects without dementia aged 60 years or over. Cognitive status was assessed by the MEC scale (Miniexamen Cognoscitivo, Spanish version of the MMSE; cut-off score for dementia=24), Fuld Objective Memory Test (FOME) and the Symbol Digit Modality Test (SDMT). The experimental group (EG) performed an aerobic physical training-continuous pedaling based program of a least 15 minutes daily during 15 months. The control group (CG) performed various non-physical recreational activities. Paired Student’s t-test and 2-way ANOVA statistics were applied. RESULTS: A total of 39 elderly were included; 22 individuals were allocated to the EG group (8 females/14 males, mean age 77.94±8.79 years) and 17 individuals to the CG group (7 females/10 males, mean age 83.59±7.05 years). The mean weekly exercise duration in the EG group reached 134.21±9.73 minutes. Significant improvement with respect to controls was observed in cognitive status according to the initial and final MEC score (EG:28.23±5.45/30.19±3.77; CG:28.70±2.80/26.04±3.42; F(1-63)2.826, p=0.037). The initial/final SDMT score for each group showed that exercise significantly improved psychomotor speed (EG:2.83±2.92/2.14±2.31; CG:0.22±0.66/3.66±1.52; F(1-63)=3.735, p=0.011). No significant changes were observed in episodic memory (FOME) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The practice of continuous long-term aerobic physical exercise seems to have a protective effect on cognitive status and psychomotor speed in elderly institutionalized individuals.
Disclosure: Dr. Seijo-Martinez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cancela Carral has nothing to disclose. Dr. Carlos has nothing to disclose.
Monday, April 28 2014, 3:00 pm-6:30 pm
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