[en] Introduction: Increasing evidence supports that recurrent physical activity programs, especially those of the aerobic type, may have beneficial effects on cognitive function in older people who have cognitive impairment. Objective: To analyze the effect of an aerobic physical activity program on the cognitive status of older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early stages of dementia. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 62 older people from 8 civic centers in the city of A Coruña (72.48 ± 4.99 years). The Experimental Group (EG; n = 31) performed a progressive aerobic exercise program, consisting of city park walks (3 days per week / 1 hour duration / 3 months). The Control Group (CG; n = 31) performed a non-aerobic passive program. Both groups were assessed pre- and post-intervention using neurocognitive instruments: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Isaac Semantic Fluency Test (TFVs), Wais III Digits Test (TDG-Wais), Trail Making Test A (TMT-A) and physical tests: Six-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Walking Speed in 6 Meters (VM-6m). Results: 57 people completed the study. The EG improved in all the physical tests over CG (p<0.05), only the MMSE and the TDG-Wais improved over CG with a mean post-intervention difference of 1.28 and 1.56 points respectively (p<0.05). The other cognitive tests improved only within the EG. A linear correlation was found at the end of the study between the distance walked in the TM6M and the score obtained in the MMSE. Rho = 0.407 (p<0.001). Conclusion: A three-month moderately-vigorous intensity aerobic training program positively impacts the cognitive performance of older people with MCI and mild dementia.

[gl] Introdución: Unha crecente evidencia apoia que os programas de actividade física recorrente, sobre todo os de tipo aeróbico poden xerar efectos beneficiosos sobre a función cognitiva nas persoas maiores que presentan deterioro cognitivo. Obxectivo: Analizar o efecto dun programa de actividade física aeróbica, sobre o estado cognitivo de persoas maiores con deterioro cognitivo leve (DCL) e estadios temperás de demencia. Material e Métodos: Realizouse un ensaio clínico aleatorizado con 62 maiores que proviñan de 8 centros cívicos da cidade da Coruña (72,48±4,99 anos). O Grupo Experimental (GE; n=31) realizou un programa de exercicio aeróbico progresivo, consistente en camiñadas por parques da cidade (3 días por semana/ 1 hora de duración/ 3 meses). O Grupo Control (GC; n=31) realizou un programa pasivo de tipo non aeróbico. Ambos grupos foron avaliados pre- e pos-intervención, mediante os instrumentos neurocognitivos: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Test de Fluidez Verbal semántica de Isaac (TFVs), Test de Díxitos do Wais III (TDG-Wais), Trail Making Test A (TMT-A) e as probas físicas: Test de Marcha de seis Minutos (TM6M), Timed Up and Go (TUG) e Velocidade de Marcha en 6 Metros (VM-6m). Resultados: 57 persoas completaron o estudo. O GE mellorou en todas as probas físicas sobre o GC (p<0,05), solo o MMSE e o TDG-Wais melloraron sobre o GC cunha diferenza de medias pos-intervención de 1,28 e 1,56 puntos respectivamente (p<0,05). As outras probas cognitivas melloraron soamente dentro do GE. Encontrouse unha correlación lineal ao final do estudo, entre a distancia recorrida no TM6M e a puntuación obtida no MMSE. Rho=0,407 (p<0,001). Conclusión: Un programa de adestramento aeróbico de intensidade moderada-vigorosa de tres meses de duración, incide positivamente no rendemento cognitivo das persoas maiores con DCL e demencia leve.