The Morning-Evening Variation of Dynamic Balance under Dual Cognitive Task in Morning-Type Elderly Women

Abstract

Introduction: Age-associated changes in circadian rhythm and chronotype can result in variation in the physical and cognitive performance, and also the time preference for physical and mental activities between older adults and youngsters. The ability to maintain body orientation in elderly requires paying attention, and can be subjected to these age-associated changes leading to a fall. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the morning-evening variations of dynamic balance in morning-type elderly women under dual cognitive task condition. Materials and Methods: Using purposive sampling, 12 women aged 65-80 years were arranged andomly in 3 separated groups. The Timed Up and Go test (TUG) was performed under dual and mono cognitive tasks in 3 different days at the sports biomechanics laboratory of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA test was used for data analysis at the significance level of P < 0.05. Results: Although there was a significant difference (P = 0.001) between the dynamic balance while performing a cognitive task with normal gait, time of the day had no effect on the dynamic balance of elderly women under dual (P = 0.711) and mono (P = 0.221) cognitive tasks. Conclusion: The dynamic balance of women aged 65-80 years without performing a cognitive task does not change throughout a day, but generally, the dual cognitive task annihilates the elderly’s physical performance.

Keywords

• Circadian rhythm
• Sleep
• Postural balance
• Cognition
• Elderly
• Women