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 .
Effect of moderate physical exercise on postural control among 65-74 years old men.
The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the  postural control ( PC ) during quiet stance among elderly men with fatigue induced by moderate exercise  , and to assess the relationships between changes in PC and somatic indices ( body mass index ( BMI ) , waist to hip ratio ( WHR ) ) , load during exercise , and post-exercise blood lactate ( BL ) concentration . The study involved 17 elderly men ( 68.4±2.9 years of age , ranging between 65 and 74 years ) . Mean velocity of the center of pressure ( COP ) displacements was measured using a force plate both before and after fatigue induced by a cycle ergometer exercise . Following physical exercise , the mean velocity of the COP and its components , both in the sagittal and frontal plane , increased significantly . It was found that increasing BMI was associated with increasing exercise-induced changes in the mean velocity of the frontal plane . Additionally , BL level was positively correlated with changes in the mean velocity of the sagittal plane . Higher post-exercise values of the mean velocity of the COP may suggest a temporary increase in the risk of falls . Therefore , it seems advisable to caution the elderly men in regards to the increased risk of falling following exercise . Analysis showed that the changes in the PC as indicated by the increase in the COP displacements velocity may be related to the level of fatigue ( as indicated by BL ) . Moreover , elderly men possessing a higher BMI may exhibit a tendency toward the greater increase in the postural sway after exercise-induced fatigue
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 .