dementia – SEMS-journal

exercise is medicine neurology

Mobility in the elderly – dual task training a therapeutic modality in neurological patients

Gait impairments in simultaneous motor-cognitive tasks have been well documented in neurodegenerative disease populations, including Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. The consequences of these gait impairments in patient populations include an increased fall risk, sedentariness, functional decreases, decreases in self-efficacy, and overall reduced quality of life. Therefore, improving gait performance in dual-task situations is becoming an important focus of rehabilitation for people with neurological disorders.

exercise is medicine neurology sports and society sports medicine

Physical activity and cognitive function in older persons

Strategies to improve cognitive aging are highly needed. Among those, promotion of exercise and physical activity appears as one of the most attractive and beneficial intervention. Indeed, results from basic and clinical studies suggest that exercise and physical activity have positive effects on cognition in older persons without cognitive impairment, as well as in those with dementia. Despite inconsistent results, aerobic exercise appears to have the strongest potential to enhance cognition. However, even limited periods of walking (45 minutes, three times a week, over a 6-month period) have also been shown to enhance cognition, particularly executive functions.

exercise is medicine neurology sports and society sports medicine sports physiotherapy

Sports for prevention of dementia and age-related loss of function

As a consequence of the demographically related increase of dementia prevalence, modifiable risk factors are gaining in importance as possible preventative measures. Medical treatment cannot yet heal dementia. The effects of vascular risk factors as well as behaviour and lifestyle changes on cognitive decline are the subject of a wide range of current literature. The role of physical activity has proved to be especially beneficial. Multiple studies with different study designs describe direct or indirect positive effects of physical activity on cognitive abilities. The positive effects of physical activity are particularly notable in cognitive domains such as attention or executive functions, which are often impaired in dementia.