Physical activity (PA) recommendations for older adults often endorse participation in moderate to vigorous intensity (MVPA). However, health disparities are evident such that African Americans ...engage in lower levels of MVPA, have a higher prevalence of chronic health and cognitive impairments. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the role of light PA in addition to MVPA and their associations with measures of executive function among African American older adults.
One hundred and ten participants (mean age = 64.78 ± 5.7, males = 14) completed measures of cognitive functioning, including the Trail making, Flanker and the N-back tasks. Additionally, participants completed a 6-minute walk test to estimate their cardiovascular fitness and were given an Actigraph accelerometer for 7-days to objectively assess their light and MVPA.
Regression analyses controlling for age, fitness and education showed that higher levels of light PA but not MVPA predicted better cognitive performance on the incongruent flanker reaction time (β=-.24), trails B (β=-.24) and 1-back accuracy (β=.28). Both light PA and MVPA predicted faster reaction times on the 1-back and 2-back conditions of the n-back (light PA: β's=-.22-.23; MVPA: β's=-.28).
Light PA demonstrated similar or better associations than MVPA with cognitive functions which are known to decline with age. Designing and promoting light PA interventions in African American older adults maybe more feasible given the prevalence of disability and functional health disparities. Intervention studies testing the efficacy and effectiveness of light PA are needed and could have a significant public health impact among aging African Americans.
To review and synthesize the existing literature on the effects of yoga on cognitive function by determining effect sizes that could serve as a platform to design, calculate statistical power, and ...implement future studies.
Through electronic databases, we identified acute studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of yoga that reported cognitive outcomes. Inclusion criteria included the following: use of an objective measure of cognition and sufficient data reported to estimate an effect size. The meta-analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. A random-effects model was used to calculate the overall weighted effect sizes, expressed as Hedge g.
Fifteen RCTs and 7 acute exposure studies examined the effects of yoga on cognition. A moderate effect (g = 0.33, standard error = 0.08, 95% confidence interval = 0.18-0.48, p < .001) of yoga on cognition was observed for RCTs, with the strongest effect for attention and processing speed (g = 0.29, p < .001), followed by executive function (g = 0.27, p = .001) and memory (g = 0.18, p = .051). Acute studies showed a stronger overall effect of yoga on cognition (g = 0.56, standard error = 0.11, 95% confidence interval = 0.33-0.78, p < .001). The effect was strongest for memory (g = 0.78, p < .001), followed by attention and processing speed measures (g = 0.49, p < .001) and executive functions (g = 0.39, p < .003).
Yoga practice seems to be associated with moderate improvements in cognitive function. Although the studies are limited by sample size, heterogeneous population characteristics, varied doses of yoga interventions, and a myriad of cognitive tests, these findings warrant rigorous systematic RCTs and well-designed counterbalanced acute studies to comprehensively explore yoga as a means to improve or sustain cognitive abilities across the life span.
Higher levels of self-efficacy (self-confidence to exercise) and positive outcome expectations are associated with higher levels of physical activity in African American older adults.
Abstract
...Background
Older adults, especially ethnic minorities continue to be the least active segment of the U.S. population. Health disparities are evident in that African Americans participate in less physical activity (PA) and are less likely to meet PA guidelines compared with non-Hispanic Caucasians.
Purpose
Using the social cognitive theory (SCT), this study examined the individual, social, and physical environmental correlates of PA behavior.
Methods
Participants (N = 110, females = 96, mean age = 64.8 ± 5.7 years) were urban, community-dwelling African American adults and older adults who completed demographics and psychosocial questionnaires assessing (SCT) constructs of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, social support, and perceptions of the physical environment. A latent factor PA construct represented self-report (Godin Leisure-time Exercise Questionnaire, Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly) and objective (accelerometer worn for 7 days) PA.
Results
The direct and indirect effects of SCT constructs on PA were tested using structural equation modeling, and the overall model fit was adequate (comparative fit index = 0.94, root mean square error of approximation = 0.04, standardized root mean square residual = 0.05, chi square = 67.03, p = .17). Results indicated that: (a) self-efficacy was the strongest direct predictor of PA (β = 0.79) and also influenced outcome expectations (β = 0.457, p < .001); and (b) outcome expectations directly (β = 0.36) predicted PA. Among demographic moderators, only age was inversely associated with outcome expectations (β = −0.28). Social support or physical environment did not influence PA.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that self-efficacy and outcome expectations are important correlates of PA for African American adults and older adults. Future studies should examine the direct and indirect impact of PA interventions targeting self-efficacy and outcomes expectations to promote behavior change.
Abstract
Background
The physical and cognitive benefits of moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) for adults have been well documented. Recently, there has been increasing interest in ...the independent health benefits of light-intensity physical activity (LPA). This research has primarily focused on the relationship between LPA and morbidity and mortality risk, with few studies investigating cognitive associations. The purpose of this scoping review was to catalog existing evidence on the association between device-based or technologically measured LPA and cognition among adults, identify trends in the literature, and recommend future areas for research.
Methods
Six electronic databases were searched between January and June 2020. Forty published studies met the inclusion criteria, which included both healthy and clinical young and older adult populations. Among the 40 articles were 14 acute exercise studies, 4 randomized control trials (RCTs), 18 cross-sectional studies, and 4 longitudinal studies.
Results
7/14 (50%) acute, 3/4 (75%) RCT, 10/18 (56%) cross-sectional, and 2/4 (50%) longitudinal studies reported a significant, positive relationship between LPA and one or more cognitive outcomes. These heterogeneous findings can largely be attributed to the diverse study designs and populations, as well as the numerous assessments used to test the cognitive domains.
Conclusion
These collective findings suggest LPA may be a potential lifestyle intervention to improve cognition across adulthood. However, the inconsistent approaches used among these studies suggest a more concerted, unified scientific approach is needed to further understand the LPA-cognition relationship.
Physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are associated with better cognitive function in late life, but the neural correlates for these relationships are unclear. To study these ...correlates, we examined the association of both PA and CRF with measures of white matter (WM) integrity in 88 healthy low-fit adults (age 60-78). Using accelerometry, we objectively measured sedentary behavior, light PA, and moderate to vigorous PA (MV-PA) over a week. We showed that greater MV-PA was related to lower volume of WM lesions. The association between PA and WM microstructural integrity (measured with diffusion tensor imaging) was region-specific: light PA was related to temporal WM, while sedentary behavior was associated with lower integrity in the parahippocampal WM. Our findings highlight that engaging in PA of various intensity in parallel with avoiding sedentariness are important in maintaining WM health in older age, supporting public health recommendations that emphasize the importance of active lifestyle.
Despite yoga's popularity, few clinical trials have employed rigorous methodology to systematically explore its functional benefits compared with more established forms of exercise. The objective of ...this study was to compare the functional benefits of yoga with the conventional stretching-strengthening exercises recommended for adults.
Sedentary healthy adults (N = 118; M age = 62.0) participated in an 8-week (three times a week for 1 hour) randomized controlled trial, which consisted of a Hatha yoga group (n = 61) and a stretching-strengthening exercise group (n = 57). Standardized functional fitness tests assessing balance, strength, flexibility, and mobility were administered at baseline and postintervention.
A repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance showed a significant time effect for measures of balance F(3,18) = 4.88, p < .01, partial η(2) = .45, strength F(2,19) = 15.37, p < .001, partial η(2) = .62, flexibility F(4,17) = 8.86, p < .001, partial η(2) = .68, and mobility F(2,19) = 8.54, p < .002, partial η(2) = .47. Both groups showed significant improvements on measures of balance (left-right leg and four square step); strength (chair stands and arm curls); flexibility (back scratch and sit-and-reach); and mobility (gait speed and 8-feet up and go), with partial η(2) ranging from .05 to .47.
These data suggest that regular yoga practice is just as effective as stretching-strengthening exercises in improving functional fitness. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine functional benefits of yoga in comparison with stretching-strengthening exercises in sedentary, healthy, community-dwelling older adults. These findings have clinical implications as yoga is a more amenable form of exercise than strengthening exercises as it requires minimal equipment and can be adapted for individuals with lower levels of functioning or disabilities.
Yoga, a physical and contemplative practice, offers the practitioner a unique mind-body exercise experience demonstrating preliminary efficacy in improving cognitive health. We examine the evidence ...for underlying mechanisms that explain the yoga-cognition relationship in healthy older adults. The cognitive benefits of yoga may be the result of improved stress regulation and neurocognitive resource efficiency that facilitate bidirectional brain-body communication.
Background
The use of yoga as a mind–body practice has become increasingly popular among clinical populations and older adults who use this practice to manage age and chronic disease-related ...symptoms. Although yoga continues to gain popularity among practitioners and researchers, pilot studies that examine its feasibility and acceptability, especially among cancer survivors, are limited. Feasibility studies play a critical role in determining whether the target population is likely to engage with larger scale efficacy and effectiveness trials. In this paper we present feasibility and acceptability data from a 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted with adult cancer survivors.
Methods
Participants
n
= 78 (Mean age: 55 years) were randomized to one of three groups: a Hatha yoga, aerobic exercise, or stretching-toning control group with group exercise classes held for 150 min/week for 12 weeks. Herein we report feasibility and acceptability, including enrollment rates, attendance, attrition and adverse events, and participant feedback and satisfaction data.
Results
Of the 233 adults screened, 109 were eligible and 78 randomized to one of the three intervention arms. Session attendance was high for all groups (75.5–89.5%) and 17 participants dropped out during the 12-week intervention. Program satisfaction was high (4.8 or higher out of 5) and no adverse events were reported. One cohort (
n
= 15) of the intervention transitioned to remote intervention delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Feasibility data from these participants suggested that synchronized group exercise classes via Zoom with a live instructor were acceptable and enjoyable. Participant feedback regarding most and least helpful aspects of the program as well as suggestions for future yoga interventions are summarized.
Conclusions
Overall, the yoga intervention was highly feasible and acceptable. The feasibility parameters from this trial can aid researchers in estimating recruitment rates for desired sample sizes to successfully randomize and retain cancer survivors in short- and long-term yoga-based efficacy and effectiveness trials. The findings also provide evidence to clinicians who can recommend up to 150 min of a combination of exercises—aerobic, yoga, or stretching-toning to their cancer patients in order to improve health and wellbeing during cancer survivorship.
The purpose of this study was to validate the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) in a sample of older adults. Participants within two different exercise groups were assessed at two time ...points, 6 months apart. Group and longitudinal invariance was established for a novel, 8-item version of the PACES. The shortened, psychometrically sound measure provides researchers and practitioners an expedited and reliable instrument for assessing the enjoyment of physical activity.
Few scientific studies have examined movement-based embodied contemplative practices such as yoga and their effects on cognition. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the ...effects of an 8-week Hatha yoga intervention on executive function measures of task switching and working memory capacity.
Community-dwelling older adults (N = 118; mean age = 62.0) were randomized to one of two groups: a Hatha yoga intervention or a stretching-strengthening control. Both groups participated in hour-long exercise classes 3×/week over the 8-week study period. All participants completed established tests of executive function including the task switching paradigm, n-back and running memory span at baseline and follow-up.
Analysis of covariances showed significantly shorter reaction times on the mixed and repeat task switching trials (partial η(2) = .04, p < .05) for the Hatha yoga group. Higher accuracy was recorded on the single trials (partial η(2) = .05, p < .05), the 2-back condition of the n-back (partial η(2) = .08, p < .001), and partial recall scores (partial η(2) = .06, p < .01) of running span task.
Following 8 weeks of yoga practice, participants in the yoga intervention group showed significantly improved performance on the executive function measures of working memory capacity and efficiency of mental set shifting and flexibility compared with their stretching-strengthening counterparts. Although the underlying mechanisms need to be investigated, these results demand larger systematic trials to thoroughly examine effects of yoga on executive function as well as across other domains of cognition, and its potential to maintain or improve cognitive functioning in the aging process.
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