Results concerning the association of chronic physical activity and motor performance are mixed and seem to be influenced by the study design , kind of exercise , motor task , and exercise intensity .
Regarding motor learning , a high physical activity or cardiovascular fitness level seems to boost the initial phase of motor learning ; results differ with respect to motor retention .
Overall , ( motor-coordinative ) intervention studies seem to be more promising than cross-sectional studies
Upper extremity motor performance declines with increasing age .
However , older adults need to maintain , learn new and relearn known motor tasks .
Research with young adults indicated that regular and acute physical activity might facilitate motor performance and motor learning processes .
Therefore , this review aim ed to examine the association between chronic physical activity and acute bouts of exercise on motor performance and motor learning in upper extremity motor tasks in older adults .
A Single Bout of Exercise Improves Motor Memory
Regular physical activity has a positive impact on cognition and brain function . Here we investigated if a single bout of exercise can improve motor memory and motor skill learning . We also explored if the timing of the exercise bout in relation to the timing of practice has any impact on the acquisition and retention of a motor skill .  Forty-eight young subjects were r and omly allocated into three groups , which practice d a visuomotor accuracy-tracking task either before or after a bout of intense cycling or after rest .  Motor skill acquisition was assessed during practice and retention was measured 1 hour , 24 hours and 7 days after practice . Differences among groups in the rate of motor skill acquisition were not significant . In contrast , both exercise groups showed a significantly better retention of the motor skill 24 hours and 7 days after practice . Furthermore , compared to the subjects that exercised before practice , the subjects that exercised after practice showed a better retention of the motor skill 7 days after practice . These findings indicate that one bout of intense exercise performed immediately before or after practicing a motor task is sufficient to improve the long-term retention of a motor skill . The positive effects of acute exercise on motor memory are maximized when exercise is performed immediately after practice , during the early stages of memory consolidation . Thus , the timing of exercise in relation to practice is possibly an important factor regulating the effects of acute exercise on long-term motor memory
Results concerning the association of chronic physical activity and motor performance are mixed and seem to be influenced by the study design , kind of exercise , motor task , and exercise intensity .
Regarding motor learning , a high physical activity or cardiovascular fitness level seems to boost the initial phase of motor learning ; results differ with respect to motor retention .
Overall , ( motor-coordinative ) intervention studies seem to be more promising than cross-sectional studies
Upper extremity motor performance declines with increasing age .
However , older adults need to maintain , learn new and relearn known motor tasks .
Research with young adults indicated that regular and acute physical activity might facilitate motor performance and motor learning processes .
Therefore , this review aim ed to examine the association between chronic physical activity and acute bouts of exercise on motor performance and motor learning in upper extremity motor tasks in older adults .