Cognitive ability and motor performances in the elderly

Background/Aim. Aging entails a wide range of cognitive processes that are not independent of one another. It leads to changes in physical-motor characteristics and sometimes to disability. The aim of this study was to examine the association between multiple cognitive performances in elderly subjec...

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Main Authors: Jovanović Stevan S., Stojanović-Jovanović Biljana N., Pavlović Aleksandra M., Milošević Radovan Lj., Pavlović Dragan M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, Belgrade 2022-01-01
Series:Vojnosanitetski Pregled
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2022/0042-84502000143J.pdf
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author Jovanović Stevan S.
Stojanović-Jovanović Biljana N.
Pavlović Aleksandra M.
Milošević Radovan Lj.
Pavlović Dragan M.
author_facet Jovanović Stevan S.
Stojanović-Jovanović Biljana N.
Pavlović Aleksandra M.
Milošević Radovan Lj.
Pavlović Dragan M.
author_sort Jovanović Stevan S.
collection DOAJ
description Background/Aim. Aging entails a wide range of cognitive processes that are not independent of one another. It leads to changes in physical-motor characteristics and sometimes to disability. The aim of this study was to examine the association between multiple cognitive performances in elderly subjects and their physical-motor abilities. Method. The study included 98 elderly participants (60+) (16 males and 82 females). Cognitive abilities were assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)/Serbian version, and physical measures were assessed by the Senior Fitness Test with its five subtests, supplemented by the Walking Speed Test. Results. Several MoCA items demonstrated relatively low variability, i.e., they proved to be too easy for most of the participants. The participants exhibited the lowest performance on the memory relating to other domains, followed by executive functions, visuospatial skills, attention, concentration, and working memory domains, with the highest performance on temporal and spatial orientation relating to other domains. Executive functions and language correlated most significantly with physical strength. Agility and dynamic balance, lower- and upper-body strength, and aerobic endurance correlated moderately and positively. Conclusion. This study underlines the positive correlation between physical fitness and cognitive level in the elderly and emphasizes the importance of physical fitness for cognitive functions, especially those of executive type in elderly subjects. Clinicians should consider the association between cognitive function and physical-motor performances when dealing with functioning improvement in the elderly. The importance of designing the most efficient exercise pro-grams to achieve maximal somatic and cognitive effects is emphasized.
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series Vojnosanitetski Pregled
spelling doaj-art-d32f6e4da2aa4b30b02facc29b8542352025-08-20T03:24:12ZengMinistry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, BelgradeVojnosanitetski Pregled0042-84502406-07202022-01-0179546547410.2298/VSP200812143J0042-84502000143JCognitive ability and motor performances in the elderlyJovanović Stevan S.0Stojanović-Jovanović Biljana N.1Pavlović Aleksandra M.2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5987-9828Milošević Radovan Lj.3Pavlović Dragan M.4Academy of Applied Studies, The College of Health Sciences, Belgrade, SerbiaAcademy of Applied Studies, The College of Health Sciences, Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity Clinical Center of Serbia, Neurology Clinic, Belgrade, Serbia + University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade, SerbiaMilitary Medical Academy, Clinic for Urology, Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade, Faculty for Special Education and Rehabilitation, Belgrade, SerbiaBackground/Aim. Aging entails a wide range of cognitive processes that are not independent of one another. It leads to changes in physical-motor characteristics and sometimes to disability. The aim of this study was to examine the association between multiple cognitive performances in elderly subjects and their physical-motor abilities. Method. The study included 98 elderly participants (60+) (16 males and 82 females). Cognitive abilities were assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)/Serbian version, and physical measures were assessed by the Senior Fitness Test with its five subtests, supplemented by the Walking Speed Test. Results. Several MoCA items demonstrated relatively low variability, i.e., they proved to be too easy for most of the participants. The participants exhibited the lowest performance on the memory relating to other domains, followed by executive functions, visuospatial skills, attention, concentration, and working memory domains, with the highest performance on temporal and spatial orientation relating to other domains. Executive functions and language correlated most significantly with physical strength. Agility and dynamic balance, lower- and upper-body strength, and aerobic endurance correlated moderately and positively. Conclusion. This study underlines the positive correlation between physical fitness and cognitive level in the elderly and emphasizes the importance of physical fitness for cognitive functions, especially those of executive type in elderly subjects. Clinicians should consider the association between cognitive function and physical-motor performances when dealing with functioning improvement in the elderly. The importance of designing the most efficient exercise pro-grams to achieve maximal somatic and cognitive effects is emphasized.http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2022/0042-84502000143J.pdfagingcognitionexercisesagedphysical fitness
spellingShingle Jovanović Stevan S.
Stojanović-Jovanović Biljana N.
Pavlović Aleksandra M.
Milošević Radovan Lj.
Pavlović Dragan M.
Cognitive ability and motor performances in the elderly
Vojnosanitetski Pregled
aging
cognition
exercises
aged
physical fitness
title Cognitive ability and motor performances in the elderly
title_full Cognitive ability and motor performances in the elderly
title_fullStr Cognitive ability and motor performances in the elderly
title_full_unstemmed Cognitive ability and motor performances in the elderly
title_short Cognitive ability and motor performances in the elderly
title_sort cognitive ability and motor performances in the elderly
topic aging
cognition
exercises
aged
physical fitness
url http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2022/0042-84502000143J.pdf
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