Effects of a mixed exercise program on physical and cognitive condition: Differences between older adults with and without dementia

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of a training protocol on physical and cognitive condition in a sample of individuals dwelling in a health care center for older persons. Material: A 12 weeks mixed motor cognitive training with 8 weeks follow up was performed by 20 individuals with dementia and 20 individuals with intact cognitive state (mean age= 76 ± 7). Main outcome measures included body mass index, performance-oriented balance, frailty, performance in daily activities and mental abilities. Results: At post intervention tests performance-oriented balance improved in both group. There was also a reduction in BMI in the normal group. These changes lasted after 8 weeks of no training. Analysis over time and between groups after the intervention showed a significant change in FR test (p=0.001). Performance-oriented balance was improved in both groups regardless to initial cognitive state and somehow it was affected more in cognitively intact individuals. Conclusion: Although these findings support the dominant effect of our training protocol on physical aspects, the benefits of training on cognition is not decisive.