EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE, COGNITIVE TRAINING, AND COMBINED INTERVENTION ON EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS

Several studies have reported benefits of exercise interventions (see Bherer, Erickson & Liu-Ambrose, 2013 for review) and cognitive training (see Belleville & Bherer, 2012 for a review) on cognitive performance in older adults, but the effect of combining both interventions has rarely been studied. This talk will present findings from dual-task cognitive training, physical exercise intervention and combined fitness and cognitive trainings on neurocognitive and physical outcomes in older adults. Overall, results show improved performance in neuropsychological test of executive control (switching) after cognitive training, but no substantial added benefits of physical exercise training. In the computerized dual-task, results showed larger change in dual-mixed than in single-mixed trials, but only for the groups that completed the dual-task training. Results of our studies support the benefits of dual-task training on executive functions and dual task performance, and suggest equivalent effect of aerobic and stretching exercise on executive control and dual-task performance.