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Physical activity and cognitive reserve as protective factors for attentional functioning in older people

Authors

Wikee, German , MARTELLA, DIANA

External publication

No

Means

Rev. Medica Chile

Scope

Article

Nature

Científica

JCR Quartile

SJR Quartile

JCR Impact

0.485

Publication date

01/05/2018

ISI

000440028600004

Abstract

Background: Attention is considered a central control mechanism in cognitive processing systems. Attention deficits contribute to the symptomatic profile of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Physical exercise and cognitive reserve, could delay cognitive impairment and constitute a protective factor against clinical manifestations of AD. Aim: To relate the functionality of the attentional networks with physical activity and cognitive reserve. Material and Methods: Three groups of 20 older adults each (control, physical activity and with osteoarthritis) were studied. The Functional capacity assessment test, Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire and the Attention Networks Test- for Interactions and Vigilance or ANTI-V were applied to participants. Results: Significant differences were observed in the response times of the alert, orientation and executive network, and the percentage of success in the network orientation and executive network. No differences between groups were observed for the different indicators of vigilance. Conclusions: These results confirm the benefits of physical exercise as a protective factor for attentional functioning.

Keywords

Attention; Cognitive Aging; Cognitive Cognitive Reserve; Physical Fitness

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