Thesis (Ph.D.) - Indiana University, School of Public Health, 2015
Introduction: Executive cognitive functions are known to decline with advancing age. However, Kramer and colleagues (1999) showed with a modest walking protocol (~45min/day, 3 times/wk; for 6 mo.), executive cognitive functions improved in inactive older adults. Select habitually active adults (Masters Swimmers) are known to maintain frequent participation in physical activity into late life (Tanaka and Wilson, 2003). The purpose of the study was to examine executive cognitive functions in Masters Swimmers and compare this to more typical inactive older adults.
Methods: Thirty five (67.6yr ± 6.22) healthy, registered Masters Swimmers (MS) and thirty three (66.6 ± 5.33) self-reporting inactive controls (IC) completed Lifetime Historical Physical Activity Survey (LPHAS; Paffenbarger, 1978) to assess lifetime physical activity energy expenditures. Additionally, subjects performed three executive cognitive function tasks (Flanker, Task Switching, and Stopping).
Results: Executive cognitive function was different (p < 0.05) between Masters Swimmers and controls for flanker task trials (incongruent and congruent) and task switching. No differences between groups were apparent for the stopping task. MS and IC were confirmed to be different (p > 0.05) in accumulated energy expenditure the most recent time periods (Past Year activity, and Over the age of 65 yr.), however no differences were evident in total lifetime physical activity LHPA (MS: 38,891 ± 20,287 kcal/wk, IC: 29,561 ± 26,777 kcal/wk).
Conclusion: This study suggests that a lifetime of engagement in physical activity has cognitive protective benefits. These benefits might be due to differences in attention, speed of information processing, and perhaps low-level functioning. It is possible that a combination of these factors is responsible for the cognitive benefits demonstrated in this study. These findings lend support to engage in physical activity throughout the lifespan, especially in after the age of 65 yr.