Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Functioning: The Role of Cognitive Reserve and Active Aging
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 ps...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-11-01
|
| Series: | Brain Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/11/1581 |
| _version_ | 1797459940112072704 |
|---|---|
| author | Giulia D’Aurizio Fabiana Festucci Ilaria Di Pompeo Daniela Tempesta Giuseppe Curcio |
| author_facet | Giulia D’Aurizio Fabiana Festucci Ilaria Di Pompeo Daniela Tempesta Giuseppe Curcio |
| author_sort | Giulia D’Aurizio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:59:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dc34cedbd0114ea6aebe29762b925dce |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:59:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-dc34cedbd0114ea6aebe29762b925dce2023-11-24T14:32:48ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252023-11-011311158110.3390/brainsci13111581Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Functioning: The Role of Cognitive Reserve and Active AgingGiulia D’Aurizio0Fabiana Festucci1Ilaria Di Pompeo2Daniela Tempesta3Giuseppe Curcio4Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, ItalyDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, ItalyDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, ItalyDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, ItalyDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, ItalyBackground: 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/11/1581active agingphysical activitycognitive functionselderlypsychophysical well-beingcognitive reserve |
| spellingShingle | Giulia D’Aurizio Fabiana Festucci Ilaria Di Pompeo Daniela Tempesta Giuseppe Curcio Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Functioning: The Role of Cognitive Reserve and Active Aging Brain Sciences active aging physical activity cognitive functions elderly psychophysical well-being cognitive reserve |
| title | Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Functioning: The Role of Cognitive Reserve and Active Aging |
| title_full | Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Functioning: The Role of Cognitive Reserve and Active Aging |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Functioning: The Role of Cognitive Reserve and Active Aging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Functioning: The Role of Cognitive Reserve and Active Aging |
| title_short | Effects of Physical Activity on Cognitive Functioning: The Role of Cognitive Reserve and Active Aging |
| title_sort | effects of physical activity on cognitive functioning the role of cognitive reserve and active aging |
| topic | active aging physical activity cognitive functions elderly psychophysical well-being cognitive reserve |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/11/1581 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT giuliadaurizio effectsofphysicalactivityoncognitivefunctioningtheroleofcognitivereserveandactiveaging AT fabianafestucci effectsofphysicalactivityoncognitivefunctioningtheroleofcognitivereserveandactiveaging AT ilariadipompeo effectsofphysicalactivityoncognitivefunctioningtheroleofcognitivereserveandactiveaging AT danielatempesta effectsofphysicalactivityoncognitivefunctioningtheroleofcognitivereserveandactiveaging AT giuseppecurcio effectsofphysicalactivityoncognitivefunctioningtheroleofcognitivereserveandactiveaging |