Differences in the Level of Functional Fitness and Precise Hand Movements of People with and without Cognitive Disorders

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives to assess and compare the gross and fine motor skills in people with identified cognitive impairment and in people from the control group. Method The research was conducted at the Center of Dementia-Related Diseases, involved participants with (n = 39) and without (n = 29) cognitive disorders. Fast, precise hand movements were measured via Vienna System Test. The up-and-go, chair-stand, 6-minute walk tests were used to assess functional fitness. The results for participants with and without cognitive disorders were compared. Results People from both groups do not differ significantly in terms of the level of condition-based functional fitness. Participants with cognitive disorders achieve worse results in hand coordination tests which are more complex and require both speed and accuracy of hand movements. Discussion The deterioration of precise hand movements with the correct functional efficiency may indicate degenerative changes in brain areas associated with complex thought processes, conceptual thinking, and may lead to dementia.