Improvement of Attention, Executive Functions, and Processing Speed in Elderly Women as a Result of Involvement in the Nordic Walking Training Program and Vitamin D Supplementation.

Mariusz Lipowski,Ewa Ziemann,Jakub Kortas,Tamara Walczak-Kozłowska,Małgorzata Lipowska,Giancarlo Falcioni,Jędrzej Antosiewicz

doi:10.3390/nu11061311

Abstract

Research indicates that life satisfaction declines with age, and cognitive abilities are gradually reduced—mainly attentional functioning and cognitive processing speed. Therefore, scientists seek to find protective factors and test possible intervention programs; moderately intensive physical activity stands out as particularly promising. In this context, we evaluated the influence of Nordic Walking training supported by vitamin D supplementation (as this nutrient is especially deficient in older people in Poland) on the cognitive and psychological functioning of elderly women. A total of 52 healthy elderly women took part in a Nordic Walking training program complemented by vitamin D supplementation. Cognitive functioning was assessed with the Trail Making Test and the D2 Test of Attention. Quality of life and severity of depressive symptoms were measured with the Short Form Health Survey and the Beck Depression Inventory 2. Significant improvements in all aspects of cognitive functioning was observed (p = 0.01–0.47). The study also showed a decrease in depressive symptoms (p = 0.026). Physical activity and adequate levels of vitamin D can be the key factors in maintaining self-reliance in old age. Involvement in Nordic Walking training, supported by vitamin D supplementation, can strengthen the cognitive functioning of older people—reflected in higher attentional capabilities, better executive functions, and improved cognitive processing speed.

Highlights

The widely observed decline in life satisfaction of elderly people is caused by, inter alia, lifestyle changes resulting from retirement [1], negative physical consequences of aging [2], “empty nest”syndrome [3], and gradual depletion of social circles [4]
The 12 weeks of Nordic Walking training supported by vitamin D supplementation induced significant changes in all four indicators of attentional functioning assessed by the D2 Test of Attention
General perception ability improved as a result of the Nordic Walking (NW) training program, which was reflected in the higher value of total number of stimuli processed minus errors in the second measurement (t = −2.37, p = 0.011, M = 364.90 on the first assessment vs. M = 383.84 on the second assessment)

Summary

Introduction

The widely observed decline in life satisfaction of elderly people is caused by, inter alia, lifestyle changes resulting from retirement [1], negative physical consequences of aging [2], “empty nest”syndrome [3], and gradual depletion of social circles [4]. The widely observed decline in life satisfaction of elderly people is caused by, inter alia, lifestyle changes resulting from retirement [1], negative physical consequences of aging [2], “empty nest”. Cognitive performance declines with age as a result of natural aging processes. The decline is most often observed in domains such as processing speed, reasoning, memory, and executive functions [8]. Certain factors (including lifestyle and personality) may accelerate or slow down the processes associated with these changes (see References [3,9,10]); a sparse social group and loneliness are considered risk factors (e.g., Reference [11])

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