Older adults' participation in open-skilled physical activity

Introduction: Normal cognitive ageing illustrates a deterioration in a variety of cognitive and self"regulation functions, putting increasing strain on not only the health care system but also their families. Older residents of aged care facilities are at increased risk of cognitive decline in comparison to the general population. Regular physical activity may be preventative of cognitive deterioration in these individuals. Open"skilled physical activity has been proposed to catalyse improvements in several cognitive domains including selective attention and inhibition. Objectives: To investigate the feasibility, acceptability and potential effects of an open"skilled physical activity program in older adults living in the community and in an assisted living facility. Methods: This study was conducted as a two"phase feasibility study with older adults. It consisted of an ambulatory open"skilled physical activity program with two community participants and a seated open"skilled physical activity program with five assisted living facility residents. Both phases consisted of a 10"session physical activity program. A feedback questionnaire was completed after the program and standardised cognitive testing was completed before and after the program. Results: The results in Phase 1 indicated the ambulatory program as highly feasible and acceptable. Cognitive domains of immediate memory and attention showed improvements and/or maintenance in function. In Phase 2, the results designated the seated program was also highly feasible and acceptable. Cognitive domains of visuospatial, inhibition, self"monitoring and evaluation function displayed improvements or maintenance in function. Conclusion: Although the results of the study cannot be generalised, these findings support the feasibility and acceptability of an ambulatory and seated open"skilled physical activity program among older adults living in the community and in an assisted living facility respectively. The study provides valuable insight for large"scale studies to be conducted in the future.