ERIC Number: EJ709872
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Jun
Pages: 10
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0270-1367
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Available Date: N/A
Physical Activity and Executive Control: Implications for Increased Cognitive Health during Older Adulthood
Hillman, Charles H.; Belopolsky, Artem V.; Snook, Erin M.; Kramer, Arthur F.; McAuley, Edward
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, v75 n2 p176-185 Jun 2004
Electrocortical and behavioral responses of low, moderate, and high physically active older adults where compared with a younger control group on neutral and incompatible conditions of a flankers task. Compared to younger adults, high and moderate active older adults exhibited increased event-related potentials component P3 amplitude for the incompatible condition at the frontal electrode site. For the neutral condition, only low active older adults exhibited decreased amplitude at the central-parietal site, compared to younger adults. P3 latency revealed the longest latencies for low active older adults, followed by moderate active, high active, and younger adults, respectively. Reaction time (RT) data revealed that younger adults exhibited faster RT compared to all three older groups. Results suggest that physical activity may improve executive control function in older adults by affecting the distribution of P3 amplitude, which has been related to memory and attentional processes, and by decreasing P3 latency, zohich relates to the speed of cognitive processing.
Descriptors: Memory, Reaction Time, Physical Activities, Older Adults, Physical Activity Level, Age Differences, Cognitive Ability, Brain, Cognitive Processes, Neuropsychology, Neurological Impairments
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 1900 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1598. Web site: http://www.aahperd.org.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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