Comparison of the Cognitive Benefits of Doing Aerobic Exercise versus Performing Theater in Healthy Older Adults

Previous studies have shown cognitive benefits for healthy older adults who engage in aerobic exercise training (AET) or artistic activities such as theater training (TT). However, these two activities have not been compare on their cognitive effects. So, this study compares the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults engaging in AET by playing Newcomb ball (volleyball-based game) versus those who participated in TT. Participants were 20 healthy older adults (10 women), 60-78 years of age, with an average education of 10.8 years and practitioners of AET or TT. The composition of the groups was controlled with respect to age, sex, schooling, and periodicity and time of practice of each activity. Neuropsychological functions of planning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibition, and learning were evaluated. A high normal neuropsychological performance was observed in the AET group in the majority of the normalized scores for almost all the cognitive areas studied, whereas the TT group showed high average performance only in inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Although the results indicate that AET is a better option than TT as a protective factor against the cognitive decline that comes along with aging, TT cannot be ruled out as an option for elderly with physical limitations.