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Simple Cognitive and Behavioural Changes Resulting from Improved Physical Fitness in Persons over 50 Years of Age

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

C. Stacey ,
A. Kozma  and
M.J. Stones
C. Stacey
Affiliation:
Memorial University of Newfoundland
A. Kozma
Affiliation:
Memorial University of Newfoundland
M.J. Stones
Affiliation:
Memorial University of Newfoundland
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Abstract

The primary purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of exercise on simple cognitive performance and on psychological well-being in persons over fifty years of age. A secondary purpose was to assess the relationship between a set of subject variables and drop-out from fitness programs. Twenty-nine new and 37 active volunteers from the St. John's 3F fitness club for persons over fifty years of age served as subjects. Initial assessment on fitness and psychological measures was carried out within three weeks of the start/restart of the program. A second testing took place six months later. Significant pre/post differences were obtained on measures of reaction time, flexibility, balance, extra program activity, and digit symbol performance. Group by pre/post effects also reached statistical significance for psychological well-being. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of exercise are not limited to physical fitness variables, but may extend to cognitive and personality processes.

Résumé

L'objectif premier de la présente recherche réside dans l'évaluation de l'éxercice physique sur l'accomplissement de tâches cognitives simples ainsi que sur le bien-être psychologique chez les personnes âgées de plus de 50 ans. Le second objectif consiste à établir un rapport entre un ensemble de variables intéressant le sujet d'une part, et d'autre part le taux d'abandon des programmes d'entraînement. Vingt-neuf nouveaux volontaires et 37 personnes déjà inscrites au club de conditionnement physique 3F de St John's pour personnes âgées de plus de cinquante ans ont servi de sujets. L'évaluation de la bonne forme physique ainsi que les mesures psychologiques ont été effectuées dans les trois semaines suivant le début ou la reprise du programme. Une seconde évaluation a eu lieu six mois plus tard. Des différences significatives aux tests antérieurs et postérieurs ont été enregistrées pour le temps de réaction, la souplesse, l'équilibre, l'activité hors programme, et une teste des symboles chiffrés. Le sentiment de bien-être psychologique avant/après l'expérience atteint également le seuil de signification statistique. Ces résultats permettent de croire que les effets bénéfiques de l'exercice ne se bornent pas aux variables physiques mais s'étendent également aux processus cognitifs et à la personnalité.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 4 , Issue 2 , June 1985 , pp. 67 - 74
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1985

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