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 .
Effects of a physical activity intervention on measures of physical performance: Results of the lifestyle interventions and independence for Elders Pilot (LIFE-P) study.
BACKGROUND The Short Physical Performance Battery ( SPPB ) , which includes walking , balance , and chair st and s tests , independently predicts mobility disability and activities of daily living disability . To date , however , there is no definitive evidence from r and omized controlled trials that SPPB scores can be improved . Our objective was to assess the effect of a comprehensive physical activity ( PA ) intervention on the SPPB and other physical performance measures . METHODS A total of 424 sedentary persons at risk for disability ( ages 70 - 89 years ) were r and omized to a moderate-intensity PA intervention or a successful aging ( SA ) health education intervention and were followed for an average of 1.2 years . RESULTS The mean baseline SPPB score on a scale of 0 - 12 , with 12 corresponding to highest performance , was 7.5 . At 6 and 12 months , the PA versus SA group adjusted SPPB ( + /- st and ard error ) scores were 8.7 + /- 0.1 versus 8.0 + /- 0.1 , and 8.5 + /- 0.1 versus 7.9 + /- 0.2 , respectively ( p < .001 ) . The 400-meter walking speed was also significantly improved in the PA group . The PA group had a lower incidence of major mobility disability defined as incapacity to complete a 400-meter walk ( hazard ratio = 0.71 , 95 % confidence interval = 0.44 - 1.20 ) . CONCLUSIONS A structured PA intervention improved the SPPB score and other measures of physical performance . An intervention that improves the SPPB performance may also offer benefit on more distal health outcomes , such as mobility disability
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 .