• Energy Research

This study aims to examine the effects of 12 weeks of physical-cognitive dual-task training on cognition, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life in older women (n = 44; 66.20 ± 4.05 years). Of these, 22 were randomly allocated to the dual-task training (DT) group, and 22 participated in the activities of the education control group (CG). Assessments were performed at baseline, at the end of 12 weeks of intervention, and after 12 weeks of follow-up using the following instruments: Trail Making Test parts A and B, ΔTMT (B-A), Stroop test parts A, B, C, and ΔStroop (C-B), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), sleep quality (PSQI), quality of life (SF-36). The results showed a positive and significant time-group interaction for two cognitive domains (TMT and Stroop). No time-group interaction effect was indicated for depression and sleep quality perception. There was a positive and significant interaction effect between time and group for three SF-36 subcategories (physical function, physical role, and general health). Our training protocol was not able to improve depressive symptoms and sleep quality. On the other hand, DT training was able to promote the performance of executive functions and the physical and mental component summary of the quality of life with lasting effects of up to 12 weeks after the intervention.

The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between different dimensions of physical activity (PA) (i.e., work, sport, leisure) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (i.e., overall, physical component, mental component) in an adult lifespan sample of 381 active individuals (age range: 18–88 years; 38.8% men), while controlling for important covariates in terms of sex, age, education, and health profile regarding medical history. HRQoL was assessed using the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Usual (i.e., previous 12 months) PA was assessed during face-to-face interviews using the Baecke questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analyses showed in Step 1 that the three PA dimensions work, sport, and leisure (entered simultaneously) together predicted 8%, 10%, and 4% of the variance in SF-12 total score, SF-12 physical component, and SF-12 mental component, respectively. In the final model, adjusting for sex, age, education, and health profile regarding medical history, sport emerged as the only PA dimension predicting SF-12 total score and the SF-12 physical component. In conclusion, health-policy targets at the community level should include the promotion of lifelong engagement in PA, especially sport, to allow the sustainability of HRQoL across the lifespan of our society.

The ageing process is associated with vulnerabilities, such as cognitive decline. Physical activity and exercise are key for preserving cognitive health in older age. This systematic review aims to analyse the effects of physical fitness programs on healthy older adults’ cognitive functions. An electronic search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. It included observational and experimental studies published between February 2017 and March 2023. Of the 1922 studies identified, 38 met the inclusion criteria. The findings show the positive effects of physical training on cognitive function in older adults. The most examined cognitive domains were executive function, memory function, and global cognition. Aerobic training prevailed, followed by resistance strength training and exergames. There was high variability in the characteristics of the protocols. The average length of interventions was 3–6 months; the frequency varied in the range of 1–4-times a week and 30–90 min sessions. The findings of this systematic review emphasise that physical fitness programs positively improve the specific domains of cognitive function in healthy older adults. These results can contribute to planning future interventions to improve the mental health of the older population and strengthen the development of policies for healthy ageing.

We investigated whether the relations of the cognitive reserve markers education and cognitive level of work to the physical and the mental component of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were mediated via cognitive functioning in a large sample of 701 older adults (mean age = 70.36 years, SD = 6.87). HRQoL was measured with the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey. To measure cognitive functioning, we used the COGTEL, which is a cognitive test battery assessing prospective memory, verbal short-term memory, verbal long-term memory, working memory, verbal fluency, and inductive reasoning, combined into a composite score. Individuals reported information on their education and their main profession during their working life. Mediation analyses showed that better cognitive functioning mediated the association of higher values in the cognitive reserve markers (longer education and a high cognitive level of work) with higher HRQoL. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the sustainability of cognitive functioning in old age with the help of cognitive reserve is fundamental for the sustainability of quality of life, presumably particularly for the mental HRQoL component.

In sports, balance ability has been related to game performance and injury prevention. This study’s aims were twofold: (1) to analyze the balance performance of adolescent soccer players from different age groups; and (2) to examine the relationship between players’ age, body composition, balance, and other physical fitness parameters, such as strength and flexibility. In this study, 112 players from the under 15 (U15), under 16 (U16), and under 17 (U17) age groups participated. A one-way analysis of the variance was conducted to investigate differences between groups. Pearson correlations and hierarchical multiple regression were used to explore the relationship between variables. Regarding balance, the older group performed significantly worse in the stability indexes for both legs but significantly better in dynamic balance tests. Height correlated significantly and negatively with balance indicators. Both jumping tasks showed medium to large correlations with the sway indexes (−0.23 > r < −0.51). Although not significantly, body fat negatively affected balance, underlining the importance of monitoring body composition for players’ development. Overall, no substantial relationship was found between static and dynamic balance variables, and therefore, it is crucial to include both as complementary measures while evaluating youngsters’ postural balance.

We aimed to examine associations between cognitive vulnerability and gait speed (GS) in a large older sample. A cross-sectional study analyzed data from the “Health, Lifestyle and Fitness in Adults and Seniors in Amazonas” (SEVAAI) project. In total, 697 participants were included (mean age 70.35 ± 6.86 years). Usual and fast GS were evaluated, and cognitive performance was examined by the COGTEL test battery. There was a positive and large correlation between cognition (COGTEL score) and usual GS (r = 0.510; p < 0.001) and fast GS (r = 0.503; p < 0.001). The usual GS, as a continuous variable, indicated a chance of improved cognitive performance by up to 55%, and fast GS by up to 82%. After controlling for potential confounders (i.e., sex, age, MMSE and years of education), usual and fast GS indicated a chance of improving cognition, respectively, in 57% and 85%. Analysis of GS in quartiles (Q) showed high and significant associations between usual and fast GS and cognitive vulnerability. GS classified as Q1 (slower), Q2 and Q3 represented a greater chance of presenting cognitive deficits, respectively, than in participants with both GS classified as Q4 (highest). Cognitive vulnerability was associated with low GS. Usual and fast GS can be used as complementary measures for the evaluation of cognitively normal Brazilian older adults.