A Single Bout of Aerobic Exercise Impact to Consolidation of Bilateral Movements in Older Adults

Abstract

Background. Aging is associated with a decline in motor coordination and learning efficiency. A single bout of exercise is used to improve learning of unilateral movements in older adults; however, the effect on learning of bilateral movements remains unclear.

The aim. To determine the effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise on learning of bilateral movements in older adults.

Methods. The study included 20 older adults and they were assigned to a control (n = 10; age: 64.5 ± 3.1 years) or experimental (n = 10; age: 63.6 ± 2.1 years) group. Participants in the experimental group performed a single 20-minute bout of moderate-intensity (50-70 %) aerobic exercise. Participants in the control group were asked to rest for 20 minutes. Changes in the learning of asymmetric and symmetric bilateral movements and motor consolidation 7 days after learning were evaluated using a Purdue Pegboard Test. Participants were asked to perform symmetrical and asymmetrical movements with both arms. Learning motivation was assessed immediately after learning using a Visual Analogue Scale.

Results. Aerobic exercise improved motor consolidation (p < 0.05), whereas bilateral motor learning remained unchanged. Meanwhile, in the control group, the motor skill consolidation after a week did not change compared to the baseline value. Learning motivation did not differ between groups.

Conclusion. A single 20-minute bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can be used as an effective method to improve the consolidation of bilateral asymmetric and symmetric movements in long-term memory in older adults.

Keywords: exercise, motor memory, motor skill, seniors.