The Effect of Exercises with Cognitive Task on Cognitive Functions, Emotional Status and Quality of Life on Healthy Young Individuals

Abstract

Aim: Nowadays, with the increasing technology, there is a deterioration in cognitive states, changes in emotional states and a decrease in quality of life in healthy young individuals due to the decrease in physical activity levels. Exercises with cognitive tasks improve the health conditions of individuals. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of aerobic and balance exercises with the cognitive task on cognition, mood and quality of life in healthy young adults.

Methods: Fifty healthy young adults between the aged 18-30 who meet the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Individuals were randomly divided into 2 groups as exercise with the cognitive tasks (Group 1) (n=25) and exercise only (Group 2) (n=25). Exercises were performed 1 session daily, 3 days a week over 6 weeks. Aerobic and balance exercises with the cognitive tasks were performed in Group 1. Only aerobic and balance exercises were performed in Group 2. Individuals were evaluated for cognition (Stroop Test, Verbal Fluency Test, Number Range Test), mood (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS)) and quality of life (Short Form 36 (SF-36)) before and after the exercises.

Results: A statistically significant difference was found in all cognitive tests and SF-36 mental health sub-parameter in Group 1 and in all cognitive tests and DASS depression sub-parameter in Group 2 within-group evaluations (p<0,05). Between-groups evaluations, it was found that a statistically significant difference in the Verbal Fluency Test and SF-36 mental health sub-parameter in favor of Group 1 (p<0,05).

Conclusion: In healthy young adults, both exercises and exercises with the cognitive tasks were found to be effective on cognitive functions. It was concluded that aerobic and balance exercises with cognitive tasks are effective on healthy young adults' cognition and quality of life. It is thought that objective studies are needed in order to better understand the effects of exercises on cognition and mood in healthy young adults.

Keywords

• Exercise
• cognitive task
• cognition
• depression
• quality of life

Sağlıklı Genç Bireylerde Kognitif Görevle Yapılan Egzersizlerin Kognitif Fonksiyonlara, Duygu Durumuna ve Yaşam Kalitesine Etkisi

Abstract

Amaç: Günümüzde artan teknolojiyle birlikte sağlıklı genç bireylerde, fiziksel aktivite düzeylerindeki azalmadan kaynaklı, kognitif durumlarında bozulma, duygu durumlarında değişiklikler ve yaşam kalitelerinde azalma görülmektedir. Kognitif görevle yapılan egzersizler bireylerin sağlık koşullarını iyileştirmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı sağlıklı genç bireylerde kognitif görevle yapılan denge egzersizlerinin, kognitif durum, duygu durumu ve yaşam kalitesine etkilerini incelemektir. 

Yöntem: Bu çalışmaya dâhil edilme kriterlerini sağlayan 18-30 yaş aralığındaki 50 sağlıklı genç birey dâhil edildi. Bireyler randomize olarak kognitif görevli egzersiz (Grup 1) (n=25) ve sadece egzersiz (Grup 2) (n=25) grubuna ayrıldı. Bireylere günde 1 seans, haftada 3 gün olmak üzere 6 hafta boyunca egzersiz verildi. Grup 1’e aerobik egzersiz ve denge egzersizlerine ilaveten kognitif görev verildi. Grup 2’deki bireylere sadece aerobik egzersiz ve denge egzersizleri yaptırıldı. Bireyler uygulama öncesinde ve bitiminde kognitif durum (Stroop Testi, Sözel Akıcılık Testi, Sayı Menzili Testi), duygu durumu (Depresyon Anksiyete Stres Ölçeği (DASÖ)) ve yaşam kalitesi (Kısa Form 36 (SF-36)) değerlendirildi. 

Bulgular: Egzersiz sonrası değerlendirmelerde Grup 1’de tüm kognitif testlerde ve SF-36 mental sağlık alt parametresinde, Grup 2’de tüm kognitif testlerde ve DASÖ depresyon alt parametresinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark bulundu (p<0,05). Gruplar arası değerlendirmede kognitif testlerden sözel akıcılık testinde ve SF-36 mental sağlık alt parametresinde Grup 1 lehine istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark bulundu (p<0,05). 

Sonuç: Sağlıklı genç bireylerde, hem sadece egzersiz hem de kognitif görevle yapılan egzersizlerin kognitif fonksiyonlar üzerinde etkili olduğu görüldü. Kognitif görevle yapılan egzersizlerin sağlıklı genç bireylerin kognitif durum ve yaşam kaliteleri üzerinde etkili olduğu sonucuna ulaşıldı. Uygulanan egzersizlerin sağlıklı genç bireylerde özellikle kognisyon ve duygu durumu üzerine etkisinin daha iyi anlaşılabilmesi için, objektif nitelikteki çalışmalara ihtiyaç duyulduğu düşünülmektedir. 

Keywords

• Egzersiz
• Kognitif Görev
• Kognisyon
• Depresyon
• Yaşam kalitesi

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