Effects of an Eight-Week Psychomotor Processing Speed Program on Physical and Cognitive Abilities in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a psychomotor processing speed program on the physical and cognitive functioning of community-dwelling older adults. Twenty-two participants (80.6 ± 1.9 years) were allocated to the exercise group (EG) while twenty-one (mean age: 79.2 ± 1.2 years) were designated to the control group (CG). Participants in the exercise program underwent a psychomotor processing speed intervention twice a week for a duration of 8 weeks. Evaluations were conducted at baseline and post-intervention. Following the 8-week program, statistically significant enhancements (p < .05) were observed in all physical fitness parameters (strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and balance), as well as in most cognitive parameters (reaction time, visual attention, executive functioning, and processing speed). Small to large effect sizes were established. The findings suggest that a psychomotor processing speed program can have a comprehensive impact on an individual’s functional abilities and should be promoted for implementation in community-dwelling older adults.