title: Executive functions of sedentary elderly may benefit from walking: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of the present meta-analysis was to address studies that examined the relationship between walking as one of the most prevalent types of leisure-time activity and executive function being a higher-order cognitive function essential for independent functioning.
  
  
  METHODS
  The following data sources were used: English-language publications in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cinahl, and Cochrane; the last search took place in January 2012. From these data sources, only randomized controlled trials including older people with (N = 3) and without (N = 5) cognitive impairment were selected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Walking has been shown to improve set-shifting and inhibition in sedentary older persons without cognitive impairment (d = 0.36; 95% confidence interval: 0.16-0.55; z = 3.56; p <0.0001). In older persons with cognitive impairment, walking did not show improvements in executive functioning (d = 0.14; 95% confidence interval: -0.36-0.64; z = 0.35; p = 0.56).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This finding is clinically relevant because participation in a walking program may prevent or postpone a (further) decline in executive function in those who are sedentary.
authors: Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: e.j.a.scherder@vu.nl.
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Scherder
authors: Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Rogier
authors: R
authors: Scherder
authors: Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Lot
authors: L
authors: Verburgh
authors: Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Marsh
authors: M
authors: Königs
authors: Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Blom
authors: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Beckman Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL.
authors: Arthur F
authors: AF
authors: Kramer
authors: Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Eggermont
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Walking; executive functions; inhibition; meta-analysis; sedentary elderly; set-shifting