Gilang Dwi Pratiwi, Wini Hadiyani, Vita Lucya, Yuda Gumelar

Exergame: Exercise With Matching Memory Game On Cognitive Function And Physical Fitness Of The Elderly

Introduction

Exergame: exercise with matching memory game on cognitive function and physical fitness of the elderly. Exergames, combining memory games and physical exercise, significantly improve cognitive function and physical fitness in the elderly. Discover how this intervention enhances well-being.

Abstract

Background: Cognitive decline and physical deterioration are common issues among the elderly, significantly impacting their quality of life. The unanticipated cognitive impairments will result in dementia. Effective approaches to simultaneously improving both aspects remain to be further developed and evaluated. Exercise with a matching memory game overcomes the issues. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of an exergame, combining memory-stimulating games and physical exercise in improving cognitive function and physical fitness among the elderly. Methods: The study was a quick experiment with two groups in a pre-post test design. A number of 119 participants were recruited using purposive sampling and randomly divided into the experimental group (n=60) or the control group (n=59). Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), while physical fitness was measured with the 2-minute step test score. Results: The data was analyzed using a paired t-test, which revealed a significant improvement in MMSE and 2-minute scores in the experimental group before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). Additionally, the independent t-test analysis demonstrated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in both cognitive and physical fitness measures after the intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Implementing exercise has a significant positive influence on cognitive function and physical fitness among the elderly. Incorporating an exergame into community health programs for the elderly could provide substantial benefits to their overall well-being.

Review

This study tackles the critical and timely issue of cognitive decline and physical deterioration in the elderly, proposing an innovative exergame that combines memory-stimulating games with physical exercise. The pre-post test design, including a control group and random assignment of 119 participants, provides a solid framework for an initial evaluation. The reported significant improvements in both Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and 2-minute step test results within the experimental group, alongside significant differences when compared to the control group, are encouraging. These findings suggest that an integrated approach like the exergame holds promise for simultaneously enhancing cognitive function and physical fitness in older adults. However, the abstract presents several areas that would benefit from further detail and consideration. Describing the study as a "quick experiment" implies a short intervention duration, which limits the assessment of long-term efficacy and the sustainability of the observed benefits. While practical for screening, the chosen outcome measures—MMSE for cognition and the 2-minute step test for physical fitness—offer a somewhat restricted view of the intervention's impact. More comprehensive cognitive batteries assessing specific domains (e.g., executive function, attention) and a broader range of physical fitness measures (e.g., balance, strength, flexibility) would provide a more nuanced understanding. Crucially, the abstract lacks specific details regarding the exergame itself, such as its duration, frequency, intensity, and the precise content of the memory games, which are vital for replication and understanding the intervention's mechanisms. The purposive sampling method, despite subsequent randomization, might also impact the generalizability of the findings to a wider elderly population. Despite these limitations, the study offers valuable preliminary evidence for the potential of exergames as a dual-benefit intervention for older adults. The concept of integrating mental and physical stimulation aligns well with current understanding of healthy aging and provides a compelling approach to combating age-related decline. The reported positive influence strongly advocates for the practical utility of such engaging interventions in community health programs. Future research should aim to conduct longer-term trials with more diverse and robust outcome measures, provide extensive details on the exergame protocol for transparency and replicability, and employ broader sampling strategies to enhance the generalizability and maximize the impact of these promising findings on elderly well-being.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.