Physical activity as a moderator of the relationship between aging and inductive reasoning

The Effect of Wii Training on Neurocognitive Function in Athletes with Functional Ankle Instability: Matched Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

Many studies have investigated ankle sprain injury and it has been reported that in 80% of cases, ankle sprains lead to functional ankle instability (FAI). The conventional exercises for FAI rehabilitation neglect the associated neurocognitive dysfunction.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the effect of Wii Fit Plus as a virtual reality training on neurocognitive function in athletes with FAI compared to athletes without FAI.

Material and Methods

In this matched randomized clinical trial study, 25 athletes with unilateral FAI and 25 athletes without FAI were assigned to two groups randomly: 1) the intervention group, subjects performed the Wii training including balance and strengthening games three times a week for 12 sessions and 2) subjects in the control group received no intervention. Before and after the training, the neurocognitive function was assessed through the computerized-reaction time test based on the detection or identification of 'X' mark on a computer monitor. Between-groups and within-group comparisons were done by the independent T-test and paired T-test, respectively.

Results

A significant difference was observed in mean differences of neurocognitive function between athletes with and without FAI. Comprising before and after training was significant in the intervention group.

Conclusion

Based on the results, the information-processing speed of athletes with FAI increased after the training, utilized for rehabilitation protocols.

Influence of current physical exercise on the relationship between aging and episodic memory and fluid intelligence

The present study examined the effects of current physical exercise and age on episodic memory and fluid intelligence, assessed with a free-recall task and the Culture Fair Intelligence Test (Cattell, 1963) respectively, while statistically controlling for other cognitive reserve factors (educational level, leisure activities, and vocabulary level). Two hundred and eight participants aged 20 to 85 participated in the study. Physical exercise level was indexed by weekly frequency over the last 12 months using self-reported measurement (from none to 4 times a week). Overall, results show a beneficial effect of physical exercise especially from a weekly practice of 2 times, and significant interaction between physical exercise and age on episodic memory and fluid intelligence capacities indicating a reduced effect of age in more physically active participants. These results reinforce the view that physical exercise is a strong and specific reserve factor that reduces decline in some cognitive functions during aging.

Comparison of the effects of Wii and conventional training on functional abilities and neurocognitive function in basketball-players with functional ankle instability: Matched randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of Wii and conventional training on functional abilities and neurocognitive function in basketball-players with Functional Ankle Instability (FAI).

DESIGN

Single-blind matched randomized clinical trial study.

SETTING

Outpatients setting.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-four basketball-players were randomly assigned to the Wii and control group.

INTERVENTIONS

All athletes in the Wii group (n = 27) performed Wii Fit Plus games; and in the control group (n = 27), they performed conventional training three days a week for 12 sessions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

To assess functional performance and neurocognitive function, we used hop tests (8-hop, side hop, and single hop) and Deary-Liewald Reaction Time Task (DLRT), respectively. DLRT measured simple and choice reaction time and error rate. Measures were taken at baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks after baseline.

RESULTS

In all 54 athletes completed the study. The results showed no significant differences for all hop tests in between-group comparison but the neurocognitive function showed significant improvements in the Wii group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Mean (SD) for 8-hop and side hop tests for the involved limb, and simple and choice reaction time four weeks after baseline in the control group were 10.15 (1.02), 12.36 (1.31), and 339.10 (41.57), 530.52 (53.36), respectively and in the Wii group, were 10.46 (1.23), 12.40 (1.31), and 295.25 (13.16), 431.19 (33.46), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Based on our results, both training protocols were equal to positively affect functional abilities. Besides, Wii training improved neurocognitive function and can be applied in FAI rehabilitation protocols.