A comparison of veteran athletes and sedentary individuals in terms of dynamic-static balance and cognitive functions

Abstract

There is strong evidence that being physically active has positive effects on healthy aging, primary and secondary prevention of the development of chronic diseases. The physical and cognitive health benefits of having an active past are less well-known. Therefore, this study aimed to compare veteran athletes with an active sports history with their sedentary peers in terms of balance and cognitive function. Fourteen veteran soccer players and 15 sedentary male volunteers aged between 35-55 years participated in the study. The demographic characteristics of the participants were questioned with a case report form. Participants' balance was evaluated statically and dynamically. Static balance was assessed using the Flamingo test and dynamic balance was assessed with the Y Balance test. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to test cognitive functions. There was no difference between Veteran Athletes (VA) and Sedentary Participants (SP) in terms of static balance test scores with both right and left sides (p>0.05). The results of the VA group were significantly higher (p<0.05) in terms of the total scores of the Y balance test, which consisted of the average of the anterior (ANT), posterolateral (PL), and posteromedial (PM) reaches (p<0.05). In terms of MoCA score, the VA group obtained significantly higher results compared to the SP group (p<0.05). Veteran athletes were found to be superior to same-aged sedentary in terms of dynamic balance and cognitive function. Having an active sporting background can help to mitigate the loss of physical skills such as balance and cognitive functioning that inevitably occurs during the natural aging process. In addition, active old age is also crucial for the preservation of these skills.