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 .
Aerobic Exercise Improves Cognition and Motor Function Poststroke
Background . Cognitive deficits impede stroke recovery . Aerobic exercise ( AEX ) improves cognitive executive function ( EF ) processes in healthy individuals , although the learning benefits after stroke are unknown . Objective . To underst and AEX-induced improvements in EF , motor learning , and mobility poststroke . Methods . Following cardiorespiratory testing , 38 chronic stroke survivors were r and omized to 2 different groups that exercised 3 times a week ( 45-minute sessions ) for 8 weeks . The AEX group ( n = 19 ; 9 women ; 10 men ; 64.10 ± 12.30 years ) performed progressive resistive stationary bicycle training at 70 % maximal heart rate , whereas the Stretching Exercise ( SE ) group ( n = 19 ; 12 women ; 7 men ; 58.96 ± 14.68 years ) performed stretches at home . Between-group comparisons were performed on the change in performance at “ Post ” and “ Retention ” ( 8 weeks later ) for neuropsychological and motor function measures . Results . VO2max significantly improved at Post with AEX ( P = .04 ) . AEX also improved motor learning in the less-affected h and , with large effect sizes ( Cohen ’s d calculation ) . Specifically , AEX significantly improved information processing speed on the serial reaction time task ( SRTT ; ie , “ procedural motor learning ” ) compared with the SE group at Post ( P = .024 ) , but not at Retention . Also , at Post ( P = .038 ) , AEX significantly improved predictive force accuracy for a precision grip task requiring attention and conditional motor learning of visual cues . Ambulation and sit-to-st and transfers were significantly faster in the AEX group at Post ( P = .038 ) , with balance control significantly improved at Retention ( P = .041 ) . EF measurements were not significantly different for the AEX group . Conclusion . AEX  improved mobility and selected cognitive domains related to motor learning , which enhances sensorimotor control after stroke
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 .