Abstract
The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of a Karate-Dō training, Wadō-ryū style, on cognition in healthy older adults. We conducted a single-blind randomized controlled trial with 33 older adults divided into Karate Group (KG) and Control Group (CG). In the pre and post-intervention, participants answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, a battery of neuropsychological tests, scales of subjective cognitive complaints, depressive and anxiety symptoms. The intervention was conducted twice per week for 12 weeks (lasting 60 minutes). The CG did not perform any physical activity or cognitive stimulation during the intervention period. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferences statistics. Performance comparisons in neuropsychological tests and scales of subjective cognitive complaints, within and between groups, pre and post-intervention, was performed by Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. KG shows better results than CG in visual memory tasks, executive functions and memory complaints in post-intervention analysis. The results suggest that 3 months of Karate-Dō practice is related to a significant improvement of the cognitive functions in healthy older adults.
Highlights
Cognitive functions are defined as the brain’s ability to perform skills needed to carry out different tasks
The Karate Group (KG) was composed by 93.75% women and 6.25% men, and Control Group (CG) by 94.12% women and 5.88% men
Significant improvements were reported in the alternating attention function (TMT-B - Time in seconds), in KG within group comparison
Summary
Cognitive functions are defined as the brain’s ability to perform skills needed to carry out different tasks. They concern different mental processes such as attention, perception, memory, language, motor skills and visuoconstrutive abilities in addition to the executive functions[1]. In general, is an important factor to reduce the cognitive impairment[3], by reducing the impact of neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging[4]. Martial arts are exercises that have a positive impact on physical health, stimulate cognitive and motor skills and can improve the quality of life and the emotional health of practitioners[5,6]. Among the different styles of martial arts, Karate-Dō is a discipline of personal development through struggle practices, which stimulate memory and motion
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