Association between mind-body and cardiovascular exercises and memory in older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the memory function of older adults who regularly practiced mind-body (MB) or cardiovascular (CV) exercises with that of those who did not engage in regular exercise. Older adults who engaged in both types of exercise were also included to examine the combined effects.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study between 2002 and 2003.


METHODS
Older adults from a local community in Hong Kong.


METHODS
One hundred forty adults aged 56 and older.


METHODS
The Hong Kong List Learning Test was used to assess the memory of all participants. It is a clinically validated Chinese verbal-memory test that measures various aspects of memory processing, including learning, retention, and retrieval abilities. MB and CV exercises were defined using three dimensions: motion speed, emphasis on relaxing the mind, and conscious control of movement.


RESULTS
Older adults who practiced MB or CV exercises demonstrated a similar level of memory function, and their learning and memory was better than that of individuals who did not exercise regularly. Those who practiced both types of exercises outperformed all other groups, even after corrected for the total hours of exercise. Although memory change across age was found in older adults who did not exercise, this trend was not observed in individuals who practiced MB exercises.


CONCLUSIONS
Practicing both MB and CV exercises appears to have a combined effect that might help to preserve memory in older adults. In addition, MB exercises may be considered as an alternative training for older adults who cannot practice strenuous physical exercise.
Chan
Agnes S
AS
Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China. aschan@psy.cuhk.edu.hk
Ho
Yim-chi
YC
Cheung
Mei-chun
MC
Albert
Marilyn S
MS
Chiu
Helen F K
HF
Lam
Linda C W
LC
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D019222:Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate