Acute Effect of Simultaneous Exercise and Cognitive Tasks on Cognitive Functions in Elderly Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Ines Ben Ayed,
Achraf Ammar,
Mohamed Ali Boujelbane,
Atef Salem,
Salma Naija,
Sana Ben Amor,
Khaled Trabelsi,
Haitham Jahrami,
Hamdi Chtourou,
Yassine Trabelsi,
Farid El Massioui
Affiliations
Ines Ben Ayed
Research Laboratory, Exercise Physiology and Physiopathology: From Integrated to Molecular “Biology, Medicine and Health”, LR19ES09, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Sousse University, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
Achraf Ammar
Department of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55122 Mainz, Germany
Mohamed Ali Boujelbane
Department of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55122 Mainz, Germany
Atef Salem
Department of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55122 Mainz, Germany
Salma Naija
Neurology Department, University Hospital Sahloul Sousse, Sousse 4052, Tunisia
Sana Ben Amor
Neurology Department, University Hospital Sahloul Sousse, Sousse 4052, Tunisia
Khaled Trabelsi
Research Laboratory, Education, Motricity, Sport and Health (EM2S), LR15JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
Haitham Jahrami
College of Medicine and Medical Science, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 293, Bahrain
Hamdi Chtourou
High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
Yassine Trabelsi
Research Laboratory, Exercise Physiology and Physiopathology: From Integrated to Molecular “Biology, Medicine and Health”, LR19ES09, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Sousse University, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
Farid El Massioui
Laboratory of Human and Artificial Cognition (EA 4004), Psychology UFR, University of Vincennes/Saint-Denis, 93200 Saint-Denis, France
The increasing prevalence of age-related cognitive decline, alongside the aging global population, underscores the urgent need for innovative and effective preventative strategies. While the advantages of combining physical and cognitive exercises have been recognized as a promising approach to address these socioeconomic challenges, the acute effects of such interventions on cognitive functions remain understudied. This study aimed to investigate whether simultaneous physical and cognitive exercise has a greater beneficial impact on the cognitive functions of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) than physical exercise alone or reading activities. A total of 44 MCI patients (75% females aged between 65 and 75 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: aerobic exercise alone (EG group, n = 15), aerobic combined with cognitive exercises (CEG group, n = 15), or a reading task for controls (CG group, n = 14). Attention, memory, and problem solving were assessed before and after the acute intervention using the Tower of Hanoi, Digit Span, and Stroop tasks, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that both of the experimental interventions appeared to enhance cognitive function scores (p p = 0.02), while no significant difference existed between the EG and CG. Simultaneous combined exercise has proven to be a more effective method than aerobic physical exercise alone for improving cognitive function. The results of this study are recommended for inclusion in clinical practice guidelines to maintain the mental health of older adults, as simultaneous exercise seems to offer a time-efficient strategy to enhance cognitive performance in adults with MCI.
