Associations of physical activity with driving-related cognitive abilities in older drivers: an exploratory study

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between physical activity and driving-related cognitive abilities of older drivers. Thirty-eight female and male drivers ages 61 to 81 years (M = 70.2, SD = 5.0) responded to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and were assessed on a battery of neuropsychological tests, which included measures of visual attention, executive functioning, mental status, visuospatial ability, and memory. A higher amount of reported physical activity was significantly correlated with better scores on tests of visual processing speed and divided visual attention. Higher amounts of physical activity was significantly associated with a better composite score for visual attention, but its correlation with the composite score for executive functioning was not significant. These findings support the hypothesis that physical activity is associated with preservation of specific driving-related cognitive abilities of older adults

The effects of physical activity on driving ability in older adults

Doutoramento em Motricidade Humana na especialidade de Ciências da MotricidadeThe research described in this thesis aimed to examine the association between physical activity and driving ability in older drivers. Experimental and observational studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of physical activity both in driving-related abilities and on-the-road driving performance. The investigation was grounded mainly in an information processing approach. Visual attention showed a marked decline with aging. Physical activity levels were positively correlated with visual attention measures, namely processing speed and divided attention. Driving-related abilities and on-the-road driving tests performance were enhanced with an intervention that used a type of exercise that intended to simultaneously mobilize perceptual, cognitive, and physical abilities. Improvements resulting from the exercise intervention took place on several measures of visual attention, behavioral speed, and multitask processing. Positive transfer of learning from the exercise program to the driving task was obtained with relatively short time periods of intervention (two to three months). The type of activities to be included in the exercise programs for older drivers should try to target the same cognitive processes that are required in driving. Results also indicated that the practice of sports on a regular basis for several years has the potential to benefit driving performance. Particularly, tennis playing was associated with better speed of behavior during driving than running. Sports that are more challenging in attentional skills and whose performance is very dependent on the speed at which information is processed, may have a positive influence in several aspects of the driving task. The role of physical activity for older adults should not be restricted to the promotion of physical fitness, but should also be considered as a means to enhance cognitive functioning. The type of physical activity seems to be an important mediator of such positive effects. Literature reviewed about the effects of training and differential experience on the brain and behavior also supports this potential role of physical activity.O trabalho apresentado nesta dissertação teve como principal objectivo o estudo da associação entre a prática de actividade física e a capacidade de condução automóvel em pessoas idosas. Estudos experimentais e observacionais foram efectuados para investigar os efeitos da prática de actividade física em capacidades consideradas importantes para conduzir e no desempenho da condução em estrada. A investigação efectuada teve na psicologia cognitiva o seu quadro teórico de referência. Foi encontrado um declínio acentuado da atenção visual com o envelhecimento. Foi também estabelecida uma correlação positiva entre os níveis de actividade física e medidas de atenção visual, designadamente de velocidade de processamento e atenção dividida. Diversas capacidades importantes para conduzir e o desempenho em testes de condução em estrada, beneficiaram da participação num programa exercício planeado para mobilizar simultaneamente capacidades físicas, perceptivas e cognitivas. As melhorias verificaram-se em diversas medidas de atenção visual, velocidade comportamental e no processamento de múltiplas tarefas. Foi possível obter um transfer positivo do programa de exercício para a capacidade de conduzir com relativamente pouco tempo de intervenção (2 a 3 meses). Concluiu-se que o tipo de tarefas incluídas em programas de exercício para condutores idosos deve procurar mobilizar as mesmas funções cognitivas que são requeridas durante a condução. A prática regular de desporto pode influenciar positivamente a capacidade de conduzir de pessoas idosas. A prática de ténis foi associada a melhores resultados em tarefas de velocidade comportamental durante a condução em estrada do que a prática de corrida de longas distâncias. Os resultados sugerem que os desportos mais exigentes em processos atencionais e cuja performance depende muito da velocidade com que a informação é processada, poderão ter maior influência na realização da tarefa de condução. O papel da actividade física para pessoas idosas não deve ser apenas restringido à promoção da aptidão física, mas deve ser considerado também como forma de melhorar o funcionamento cognitivo. O tipo de actividade física parece ser um importante mediador nesta associação. A revisão de literatura efectuada sobre os efeitos de programas de treino e da experiência diferencial sobre o cérebro, suporta este papel potencialmente positivo da actividade física.FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologi

O desenvolvimento da proficiência motora em crianças ciganas e não ciganas: um estudo comparativo.

<p>O objectivo deste trabalho foi o de estudar possíveis influências da etnia sobre o desenvolvimento motor. Para tal foi constituída uma amostra de 60 crianças de ambos os géneros com 7, 8 e 9 anos de idade: 30 crianças ciganas que frequentavam uma escola do 1º ciclo em Moura; 30 crianças não ciganas que frequentavam uma escola do 1º ciclo em Lisboa. Para estudo e comparação dos níveis de desenvolvimento motor dos dois grupos da amostra, foi utilizada a forma reduzida do Teste de Proficiência Motora de Bruininks-Oseretsky. Concluiu-se que as crianças não ciganas em comparação com crianças de etnia cigana, apresentavam valores significativamente superiores da motricidade global (p=0,015), da motricidade fi na (p=0,000) e da própria proficiência motora (p=0,005).</p

Tennis playing is associated to psychomotor speed in older drivers

The study investigated the association of tennis playing and running with the psychomotor speed of older drivers. Thirty-six active male drivers ( M age = 63.2 yr.) participated. A battery of four on-the road driving tests was performed by tennis players, runners, and a control group. Measures of simple and choice reaction time, movement time, and response time were collected under singleand dual-task conditions. A composite driving score was calculated from reaction time measures of all driving tasks to refl ect a general drivers' psychomotor speed. Statistically signifi cant diff erences between groups were found in a braking task; tennis players performed signifi cantly better than controls in simple reaction time and response time. The composite driving score also diff ered between groups, and tennis players had better results than controls. Regular participation in tennis was related to psychomotor speed of older drivers

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Daily Life, Physical Exercise, and General Health among Older People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Qualitative Interview Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant alterations to and implications for the lives of millions of people, and especially for those with pre-existing medical conditions. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of older people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) throughout the first 9 months of the pandemic, with emphasis on the habits of physical exercise. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. The data consist of telephone interviews of seventeen older people with T2DM (10 women and 7 men, aged 62&ndash;76 years). Using thematic analysis, five themes were generated: (1) an altered social and relational life; (2) changes in routine and attitude regarding physical activity behaviour; (3) home-related activities gained relevance; (4) health and well-being impact and management; and (5) thoughts about the post-pandemic period. The increase in the number of cases and the fear of becoming infected with COVID-19 limited the social (i.e., contact with family and/or friends) and functional (i.e., daily routine, the habit of exercising) lives of these people, reverberating negatively on their health and well-being. Feelings of isolation, loneliness, anxiety were common. The findings of this study help to better understand the impact of the pandemic and determine areas of need for future interventions. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to provide support for older people with T2DM and tackle the negative effect of the pandemic, including the reduction in physical activity

Impact of a supervised multicomponent physical exercise program on cognitive functions in patients with type 2 diabetes

This study evaluated the impact of a multicomponent exercise program on cognitive functions in participants with Type 2 Diabetes. Participants (n = 70, 65.6 ± 5.9 years) engaged in the program (75 min per session; 3 x week) for 32 weeks. A battery of cognitive tests was performed at baseline and study completion. Two groups were formed according to their attendance rate (low and high attendance), and statistical comparisons were computed on their changes in cognitive performance. Such changes were also associated with the attendance rate for all participants. Results showed no significant differences between groups in their change scores, although there were some within-group differences in both groups. Correlation analysis showed that the attendance rate was not associated with cognitive performance changes, except for one variable. As the exercise program did not improve cognitive function, we discuss the potential of future interventions to incorporate dual-task activities merging physical and cognitive stimulation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Barreiras para a prática de atividade física em pessoas com deficiência visual

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as barreiras para a prática de atividade física em pessoas com deficiência visual. Foi aplicado um questionário específico por telefone a 114 pessoas (moradores do Distrito Federal-Brasil) com deficiência visual pouco ativas. Destacam-se várias barreiras, como problemas com as calçadas, falta de instalações/espaços apropriados, falta de políticas de apoio das entidades públicas, necessidade de guia, falta de oferta de atividades por instituições especializadas e falta de condições de segurança das instalações físicas para evitar acidentes. Devem ser implantadas medidas apropriadas que ajudem a remover ou diminuir o impacto das principais barreiras apontadas pelos participantes, de modo a promover a saúde e o bem-estar dessa população