Effect of Exercises in Water and Land on Balance and Cognitive Functions in Elderly and Old Persons

Abstract

Research background. Aging constantly manifests itself not only in physiological changes, but also in cognitive ones. Exercise programs for elderly have been created aiming at avoiding risk of falling, but there is little known about changes in cognitive functions under the effect of exercise. The aim was to evaluate the effect of water-based and land-based exercises on balance and cognitive functions in elderly women and men. Methods. The dynamic balance of study participants (n = 32) was evaluated using Timed Up & Go Test, the static balance was evaluated with a 4-position Static Balance Test and the cognitive functions were evaluated with Six-Item Cognitive Impairment Test, the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire and the Trail Making Test. The participants were randomly divided in two groups: water exercise and land-based exercise. Results. After 8 weeks of exercise in water and on land, static and dynamic balance and cognitive functions improved in both groups (p < 0.05), no statistically signifcant difference was found between the groups except for the trail making test, which was performed more quickly by subjects who attended exercise in water. After the exercise program, the men’s dynamic and static balance (while standing in the tandem position) were better than women’s, but women’s standing on one leg position was better than that of men’s (p < 0.05). Conclusion. There were no statistically signifcant differences in cognitive function between men and women after intervention. After both exercise programs, dynamic and static balance (in the tandem position) in men were better (p < 0.05) than those in women, standing on one leg but women’s position was statistically signifcantly better than that of men’s.

Keywords: exercise program in water and land-based, static and dynamic balance, cognitive functions.