Effects of sedentarism on cognitive functions of elderly ladies with intermediate education

Abstract

The systematic physical activity can prevent the cognitive impairment on aging. There are a few cognitive studies in populations under risk such as sedentary women, with reduced education, after climatery. Objectives: i) to screen cognitive and emotional aspects in active elderly ladies with intermediate education compared to sedentary ones. ii) to verify if there is protective action of physical activity to the cognitive impairment. Participants: Active elderly ladies (N=18) practicing monitored physical activities regularly and sedentary elderly ladies (N=17), mean age 66 years, with 6 years of schooling in average, without neuropsychiatric disorders. Materials: screening instruments for cognition (CAMCOG), intellectual level, alcoholic consumption, depression, and economic level. Results: Active elderly ladies exhibited higher scores than sedentary ones in CAMCOG subtests comprehension, praxis and perception. There were positive correlations between general cognitive score, schooling and intellectual level, and negative correlations between alcohol consumption and comprehension and calculation. Conclusion: The systematic physical activity seems to contribute for cognitive protection in elderly ladies with intermediate education.