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Review
. 2009 Jul-Sep;3(3):204-208.
doi: 10.1590/S1980-57642009DN30300005.

Physical activity and cognition in the elderly: A review

Alexandre Leopold Busse  1 , Gislaine Gil  2 , José Maria Santarém  3 , Wilson Jacob Filho  4
Affiliations
Review

Physical activity and cognition in the elderly: A review

Alexandre Leopold Busse et al. Dement Neuropsychol. 2009 Jul-Sep.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Physical activity has been indicated as a strategy to promote health in the elderly, as well as to encourage the maintenance of functional capacity, and acts in the prevention and control of various diseases. In recent years, there has been great interest in studying the benefits of physical activity in the preservation or even improvement of cognitive performance in both the elderly without cognitive impairment and in elderly patients with some degree of cognitive impairment or dementia. The majority of epidemiological studies and clinical trials have evaluated aerobic exercises while few have assessed resistance exercise programs. The objective of this review was to examine the effects of different types of physical activity on cognitive function of elderly individuals with or without prior impairment.

A atividade física tem sido amplamente indicada como uma estratégia para a promoção de saúde no idoso, pois além de favorecer a manutenção da capacidade funcional, atua na prevenção e controle de diversas doenças. Nos últimos anos, tem havido um forte interesse em estudar os benefícios da atividade física na preservação ou mesmo na melhora do desempenho cognitivo tanto em idosos sem comprometimento cognitivo como em idosos com algum comprometimento cognitivo e demência. Os estudos epidemiológicos e a maioria dos ensaios clínicos avaliaram os exercícios aeróbios e poucos ensaios clínicos adotaram programas de exercícios resistidos. O objetivo desta revisão é analisar os efeitos de diferentes tipos de atividade física na função cognitiva de idosos com ou sem comprometimento prévio.

Keywords: Aging; cognition disorders; dementia; motor activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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