Effects of Exergame and Gross Motor-cognitive Training on Executive Functions and Gross Motor Skills in Self-sufficient Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial With 20-week Follow-up
Abstract
Background: Aging leads to a progressive decline in gross-motor skills and executive functions, significantly increasing fall risks. While exergaming and motor-cognitive training are effective countermeasures, literature lacks direct comparisons and data on long-term retention.
Purpose:This study compares the effects of an exergaming intervention against a structured gross motor-cognitive training program in older adults, with both protocols lasting 6 weeks. It evaluates the short- and medium-term (20-week follow-up) maintenance of physical and cognitive benefits, while introducing a novel composite gross-motor index.
Methods \& Question: The study addresses which intervention is more effective at improving gross-motor coordination and executive functions, and whether these adaptations persist over time.
Conditions: Active Aging Individuals Aged 60 and Over.
Primary outcome: Reaction time (Ruler drop test); Plate Tapping Test: Assessment of Upper Limb Motor Speed; 10-Second Foot Tapping Test; Throwing and Aiming Ability:Aiming Task Test; Complex Motor Coordination: The Clap-and-Catch Task Test; The phonemic fluency test:language production; Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT); The Symbol Digit Modalities Test; The Digit Span forward and backward test; The short version of the Stroop Color-Word Test; Time up and go Test (TUG).
Enrollment: 108 participants.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 108 participants or records.
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