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 .
The Effect of a Six-Month Dancing Program on Motor-Cognitive Dual-Task Performance in Older Adults.
Dancing is a complex sensorimotor activity involving physical and mental elements which have positive effects on cognitive functions and motor control . The present r and omized controlled trial aims to analyze the effects of a dancing program on the performance on a motor-cognitive dual task . Data of 35 older adults , who were assigned to a dancing group or a health-related exercise group , are presented in the study . In pretest and posttest , we assessed cognitive performance and variability of minimum foot clearance , stride time , and stride length while walking . Regarding the cognitive performance and the stride-to-stride variability of minimum foot clearance , interaction effects have been found , indicating that dancing lowers gait variability to a higher extent than conventional health-related exercise . The data show that dancing improves minimum foot clearance variability and cognitive performance in a dual-task situation . Multi-task exercises ( like dancing ) might be a powerful tool to improve motor-cognitive dual-task performance
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 .