Can an active lifestyle maintain cognitive efficiency in older adults? A pilot study of the relationship between physical activity and graphic fluency.

IF 2.7 3区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

BMC Psychology Pub Date : 2025-03-28 DOI:10.1186/s40359-025-02466-w

Noemi Passarello, Emahnuel Troisi Lopez, Onofrio Gigliotta, Patrizia Turriziani, Fabio Lucidi, Laura Mandolesi

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Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) significantly impacts brain function and counteracts age-related changes in cognitive and motor abilities.

Methods: This pilot study delved into exploring the cognitive benefits of PA in older adults, focusing on their fluency abilities. We assessed verbal and graphic fluency in 45 older participants (mean age = 68.11 ± 3.34 years) using the Fluency Test (FAS) and modified Five-Points Test (m-FPT). They were divided into Active and Sedentary based on International Physical Activity Questionnaire cut-off scores.

Results: The results revealed significant findings regarding the relationship between PA level and executive functions. Generalized linear model analyses indicated that sedentary individuals exhibited poorer performance in the number of unique drawings, drawings performed with a cognitive strategy, and strategy index (ISs). Regarding gender differences, we found a significant positive prediction of verbal fluency abilities in males compared to females. However, no significant effects of gender were observed for the m-FPT.

Conclusions: These preliminary findings strengthen existing evidence highlighting PA's beneficial impact on cognitive function in older adults. This study highlights a distinctive support for graphic abilities over verbal fluency due to PA, emphasizing a specific connection to cognitive efficacy. It also prompts consideration of graphic fluency as a possible marker for successful ageing.

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来源期刊

BMC Psychology Psychology-Psychology (all)

CiteScore

3.90

自引率

2.80%

发文量

265

审稿时长

24 weeks

期刊介绍： BMC Psychology is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers manuscripts on all aspects of psychology, human behavior and the mind, including developmental, clinical, cognitive, experimental, health and social psychology, as well as personality and individual differences. The journal welcomes quantitative and qualitative research methods, including animal studies.