Recent studies have shown that an 18-hole round of golf or a 6km walk improves immediate cognitive function in older adults, and that Nordic walking and regular walking improve executive function.
Playing a round of 18 holes of golf or completing 6km of Nordic walking or regular walking can significantly improve immediate cognitive function in older adults, finds a recent study published in the journal Became. BMJ Open Sports & Exercise Medicine.
An international research team comprised of members from the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Edinburgh, and ETH Zurich found that three specific cognitively demanding aerobic exercises had a significant impact on cognitive function and related biology in older, healthy participants. We sought to elucidate the immediate effects on physical responses.
Research design and methodology
The study involved 25 healthy older golfers aged 65 and older who participated in three different acute aerobic exercises: an 18-hole golf round, a 6km Nordic walking session, and a 6km regular walking session. Each exercise was performed in a real-world environment, with participants maintaining a normal pace equivalent to a brisk walk.
Cognitive function was assessed using the Trail Making Test (TMT) A and B, a widely used tool to assess cognitive function in older adults. The TMT-A test measures lower-order cognitive functions such as attention and processing speed, while the TMT-B test measures more demanding executive functions such as the ability to switch tasks. Additionally, blood samples were collected to measure brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cathepsin B (CTSB) levels.
Both have been suggested to reflect the benefits of exercise in the brain. Participants also wore fitness monitoring devices to record exercise-specific data such as distance, duration, pace, energy expenditure, and step count. Her heart rate was monitored using her ECG sensor with a chest strap.
research result
This study found that a single session of any of three exercises (18 holes of golf, 6 km of Nordic walking, or 6 km of regular walking) improved lower cognitive function in older adults as measured by the TMT-A test. However, there was no significant difference. Effects were seen on BDNF and CTSB levels. Additionally, Nordic walking and regular walking were associated with enhanced executive function as measured by the TMT-B test.
Previous studies have shown potential cognitive benefits during the acute phase of aerobic exercise, with factors such as intensity, duration, and type of exercise influencing the extent of improvement.
“These findings highlight the value of age-appropriate aerobic exercise, such as golf, Nordic walking, and regular walking, in maintaining and improving cognitive function in older adults. Previous research “Exercise also shows promise as a potential strategy for people experiencing cognitive decline,” said the study’s lead author, a professor at the University of Eastern Finland’s Institute of Biomedical Research in Sports Sciences. and Julia Kettinen, postdoctoral researcher in exercise medicine.
Reference: “Cognitive and biomarker responses in healthy older adults to an 18-hole golf round and different gait types: a randomized crossover study” Julia Kettinen, Heikki Tikkanen, Mikko Hiltunen, Andrew Murray, Nils Horn, William R Taylor , Mika Venojärvi, October 1, 2023, BMJ Open Sports & Exercise Medicine.
DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001629
