Chronic Effects of Exercise on Motor Memory Consolidation in Elderly People

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Elderly

• Registration Number: NCT02731261
• Lead Sponsor: Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco

Brief Summary

The main purpose of this study was to investigate if a six months period of physical exercise could improve motor memory consolidation in elderly people.

Detailed Description

38 subjects of both genders, with a mean age of 71 years old participated in the study. Subjects were divided in two groups: a control group and an experimental group. Before the intervention of a physical exercise program, subjects performed a Finger Tapping Sequence to measure baseline performance. After the intervention, the assessment of the impact of exercise on motor memory consolidation was held in three stages: Training; 1 hour after training and 24 hours after training.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2013-01
• Primary Completion: 2013-07
• Study Completion: 2013-09
• Study First Submitted: 2016-03-23
• Status Verified: 2016-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-04-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-04-06
• Study First Posted: 2016-04-07
• Last Update Posted: 2016-04-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 38

Inclusion Criteria

• individuals not engaged in physical activity;
• persons aged from 65 years.

Exclusion Criteria

• sensory abnormalities;
• mental abnormalities;
• motor abnormalities;
• other atypical health problems.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Subjects performed a Finger Tapping Sequence to measure a performance in Motor memory consolidation.	6 months	The participants were required to learn a Finger Tapping Sequence (4_1_3_2_4) by using a computer keyboard. The finger sequence corresponded to computer keys as follows: digit 1 - Index finger; digit 2 - Middle finger; digit 3 - Ring finger; digit 4 - Little. The participants were requested to repeat the sequence as quickly and as accurately as possible for 30 seconds.