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This study aimed to investigate the effect of 12-week Zumba dancing on postural control and cognitive parameters and the correlations between these parameters in middle-aged women. Thirty-eight women, aged between 50 and 60 years, were randomly allocated to a Zumba group (ZG) or control group. Postural control and cognitive functions [working memory (WM) and reaction time (RT)] were assessed before and after 12 weeks of a Zumba dancing program using a stabilometric force platform, Corsi Block-Tapping Task and Simple RT tests, respectively. The results indicate that ZG showed significantly (p<.01) better balance performances when standing on a stable surface in both visual conditions [firm surface with eyes opened (EO) (20,9%) and eyes closed (EC) (12.3%)]. However, when standing on an unstable surface in both visual conditions (foam surface with EO/EC), the ZG showed no significant improvement in postural control. It seems that the benefits of Zumba on postural control depend on the sensory condition. Besides, 12-week Zumba dancing was not sufficient to significantly enhance cognitive performances (RT/WM) performances. These cognitive performances were related to postural control in challenging conditions and can be considered an effective tool for monitoring postural performances following an intervention program. Clinicians should, therefore, focus on interventions that boost cognitive functions in middle-aged women to achieve optimal postural control, mainly in challenging conditions, in order to prevent the risk and fear of falls as well as the incidence of falling.

Background: The dual task training (DTT) has been shown to improve postural and cognitive performances in many populations. Therefore, it seems of interest to explore the effect of such training modality in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) presenting both cognitive and postural deficits., Aims: This study explored the effect of a DTT compared to a single task training (STT) on postural and cognitive performances in adolescents with DS., Methods and Procedures: The center of pressure velocity (CoP Vm ) and the cognitive performance in the selective word recall test were recorded under single task (ST) and DT conditions before and after 8 weeks in the STT group (STTG), the DTTG and the control group (CG)., Outcomes and Results: Before training, CoP Vm values increased and cognitive performances decreased (p < 0.001) during the DT compared to ST conditions in all groups. After training, CoP Vm decreased (p < 0.001) in the DTTG and the STTG under the ST conditions. However, under DT conditions, these values decreased (p < 0.001) only in the DTTG. The cognitive performance increased (p < 0.001) only in the DTTG in both ST and DT conditions., Conclusion: The DTT is strongly recommended to improve both postural and cognitive performances in individuals with DS notably in DT conditions., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of the present study was to compare the dual-task (DT) performance in blind children with sighted ones while concurrently performing a motor task (upright standing) with cognitive (Letter fluency (LF) or Category fluency (CF)) tasks. The Center of pressure mean velocity (CoP Vm ) and the cognitive performances were recorded during single (ST) and DT conditions. Results showed that, for both groups, CoP Vm values increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the DT compared to ST condition. The CoP Vm values were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in blind children, compared to controls only in the DT-CF condition. In conclusion, balance performance of blind and typically developed children is affected by dual tasking. Interference between motor and cognitive tasks has more pronounced effects on balance performance in blind children, compared to controls. This difference was observed only when performing the CF task concurrently with the postural balance task.

The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of caffeine consumption (CC) on cognitive motor interference while walking and maintaining balance in middle-aged women. Twenty middle-aged women (52 ± 2.0 years; height 158 ± 2.0 cm; body mass 77 ± 14.9 kg; body mass index ±3.4 kg/m 2 , mean ± SD) participated in this study. Participants completed measures of a single task (ST) cognitive, a ST motor and a dual task (DT) cognitive-motor tests before and after either caffeine (100 mg) or placebo ingestion. Results showed that before CC, both motor (P < 0.0005) and cognitive (P < 0.05) performances decreased in the DT condition compared to the ST one. After CC, no significant difference in the motor performances between ST and DT conditions was observed. In fact, both standing and walking DT performances were improved as indicated by a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the dual task cost (DTC) of motor performances. In conclusion, middle-aged women showed difficulties to manage DT situations in which a cognitive and a motor task must be performed concurrently. Caffeine is an effective ergogenic aid to improve both cognitive and motor performances during DT conditions and could be an alternative to nullify the deteriorating effect of DT when maintaining balance and walking in middle-aged women. These enhancements could offer great potential for everyday functioning., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study explored the effect of running exercises at low [30% heart rate reserve (HRR)] and moderate (60%HRR) intensities on cognitive performances in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). Methods: Participants performed randomly reaction time (RT) tests: visual RT [simple RT (SRT) and choice RT (CRT)], auditory SRT (ASRT) and working memory (WM) (Corsi test) before and after the exercises. Results: The results showed that after both exercises, SRT decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in both groups with higher extent (P < 0.05) at 60%HRR compared with 30%HRR. CRT decreased (P < 0.01), similarly, after the both exercises in both groups with higher (P < 0.001) extent in the intellectual disability group (IDG). ASRT decreased significantly, at 30%HRR, in IDG (P < 0.001) and in control group (CG) (P < 0.01) with greater extent in IDG (P < 0.001). At 60%HRR, ASRT decreased significantly in both groups (P < 0.001) with greater extent in IDG (P < 0.001). The ΔASRT% was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 30%HRR compared with 60%HRR in IDG. In CG, no significant (P = 0.21) difference was reported between intensities. The Corsi forward and the Corsi backward scores increased significantly (P < 0.01) in both groups after both intensities with higher extent in IDG (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Our results suggest that low and moderate running exercises improve similarly simple and choice visual RT as well as WM in individuals with ID. Furthermore, low‐intensity exercise could be more appropriate to enhance ASRT compared the moderate one in these individuals. Therefore, low‐intensity exercise seems to be an efficient strategy to improve cognitive performances in individuals with ID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]