Effect of Virtual Reality Exercises on the Cognitive Status and Dual Motor Task Performance of the Aging Population

Hadi Nobari, Saeed Rezaei, Mahmoud Sheikh, Juan Pedro Fuentes-García and Jorge Pérez-Gómez
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Hadi Nobari: Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain
Saeed Rezaei: Departments of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran 6619-14155, Iran
Mahmoud Sheikh: Departments of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran 6619-14155, Iran
Juan Pedro Fuentes-García: Didactic and Behavioral Analysis of Sports (ADICODE) Research Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Jorge Pérez-Gómez: HEME Research Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-9

Abstract: Aging is a global phenomenon affecting numerous developed and developing countries. During this process, the functional state of the body, especially the cognitive state, declines. This research investigated the impact of virtual reality exercises on the cognitive status and dual-task performance in the elderly of Tabriz city, Iran. Forty men with a mean age of 71.5 were selected and assigned to either the experimental ( n = 20) or control groups ( n = 20). Both groups completed the Mini-Mental State Examination for cognitive status. The pre-test was performed through the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) along with a countdown of numbers. Then, the experimental group practiced virtual driving for six weeks, while the control group received no treatment. After the treatment, both groups completed the post-test. At each stage, the test was performed as a dual motor task as well. Data were analyzed using the paired t -test and the independent sample t -test to show the intra-group and inter-group differences, respectively. The results showed a significant improvement in the cognitive status and dual-task performance of the elderly men after the six-week training period, which was also significant compared to the control group. Virtual reality driving can be used to improve the cognitive status and dual task performance of elderly men.

Keywords: virtual driving; physical activity; behavioral status; mental state; older men (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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