Browsing by Author "Grobler, Syndy"
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- ItemThe influence of an 8-week water intervention on executive functioning and mobility in healthy older individuals(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03) Grobler, Syndy; Welman, K. E.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Sports Science.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Inevitable cognitive decline of Executive Function (EF) and Mobility, though quintessential for successful ageing, is already evident in apparently healthy older adults, aged 50 – 64 years. A water training environment might be ideal to simultaneously capitalise on neuroplasticity and Mobility, yet limited research applies. The elderly (≥ 65 years), specific EFs and aspects of Mobility are the focus of research. Aim: Primarily, the influence of a high-intensity, 8-week water-based exercise intervention (WBEI) on EF and Mobility of healthy older adults were investigated. Secondly, it’s influence on Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and Physical Functioning to execute activities of daily living (ADL) pertained. It was hypothesised the WBEI would lead to greater EF and Mobility improvements, compared to non-exercising older adults. Methods: A single-blinded randomised control trial divided forty-one, healthy older adults (50 - 64 years) into a high-intensity WBEI group (Experimental: EXP; 𝑥̅ 55.23 ± 4.37; n = 22) and non-exercising Control (CON) group, attending time-matched-attention (TMA) relaxation and educational activities (𝑥̅ 59.05 ± 4.09; n = 19) with thrice, weekly sessions (45 minutes duration). Pre-and post-tests were completed. The two primary outcome variables were EF and Mobility with outcome measures and tests for EF were: Attention and Working (WM) - Digit Span Forward (DSFW) and -Backward (DSBW); Cognitive flexibility (CF) - Trail Making Test A and B (TMT A and TMT B); Inhibitory control (IC) - Walking Stroop Carpet (WSC). Outcome measures and tests for Mobility: Gait variables (single-task and cognitive dual-task) - the 7-metre instrumented Timed-up and Go (iTUG); Functional Capacity and Gait speed – the Six-minute walk test (6MWT). Secondary variables were as follow: Global Cognition - Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); Depressive Mood - Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9); Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) - Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Physical Function (PF-10). Results: Treatment effects were found for: IC (P = 0.03), Gait speed (P = 0.003), Functional Capacity (P = 0.01), HRQoL (P = 0.04) and Physical Functioning (P = 0.008). Post-hoc analysis indicated improvement (P < 0.05) for both groups on IC for WSC Total duration (TD) on certain congruent, incongruent and average scores of incongruent Conditions. Only the EXP-group improved IC for TD on incongruent Condition 3 (P < 0.0001) and WSC derived scores (P < 0.05). Improved TD on single-task (ST) iTUG (P < 0.05) was found for both groups, yet only for CON group’s TD on dual-task (DT) iTUG (P = 0.03). Gait speed (GS) for iTUG cognitive DT walking improved for the EXP group. Postural transition of Turn-to-sit (TTS) deteriorated (P = 0.01) for the CON group. Post-hoc results for secondary outcome were: Global Cognition (P = 0.0001), visual spatial ability (P = 0.049), memory (P = 0.04), Depressive Mood (P = 0.01), HRQoL (P = 0.0018) and PF-10 (P = 0.006) for the EXP group. With TMT B and ratio scores, CF improved (P < 0.05) for the CON group only but Physical Functioning decreased (P = 0.002). Conclusion: The hypothesis is partially supported with the high-intensity WBEI for older adults, effectivly increasing IC and Mobility, whilst enhancing Cognition and decreasing Depressive Mood, to execute ADL and enhance HRQoL. Training in water might be an ideal environment to address EF- and Mobility decline in older adults.