A Comparative Study on Effectiveness of Aerobic Exercise versus Resistance Exercise on Improving Cognitive Function in Older Adults

Abstract

Background and Objective: Cognitive impairment is so common in older adults and prevalence is
also increasing rapidly. Previous studies had found that aerobic and resistance exercises are effective in
improving cognition, but we don’t know the best form of exercise to improve cognition. The objective
of this study is to compare the effects of Aerobic and Resistance exercises and to determine which one
is effective approach for improving the cognitive function in older adults.
Methods : A total number of 50 subjects were taken,45 of them met the inclusion criteria and were
divided into 2 groups by systematic random sampling, 23 in group A and 22 in group B. 41 subjects
completed the study, where as Group A performs the Resistance exercise and Group B performs Aerobic
exercise . These interventions are held for 8 weeks, 3 days in a week for 30 minutes. The assessment
was taken at baseline ie, Prior to intervention (Pre test) and at the end of protocol i.e., Post intervention
by using Mini -Mental State Examination scale as the outcome measure in this study.
Results: Statistical analysis of data revealed that both groups had shown improvements in cognitive
function of older adults. But statistically aerobic exercise is more significant than resistance exercise.
Conclusion: This study concluded that Aerobic exercise is more effective when compared to Resistance
exercise in improving Cognitive function in older adults.