Details

Purpose: To evaluate and discuss the opportunities of cognitively enriched physical activity interventions to improve cognitive and physical health in older adults. 

Rationale: Globally, life expectancy has increased by more than six years between 2000-2019. However, not all of these additional years are spent in good health. Ageing is typically associated with limitations both physical and cognitive health. The development of preventive, evidence-based strategies to promote healthy ageing is therefore a global challenge and priority. Both physical activity (PA) and cognitive activity (CA) have been shown to have a beneficial impact on physical and cognitive health of older adults. Recently, it has been argued that even greater effects on these health outcomes can be obtained by innovative interventions combining PA and CA. 

Objectives: The aim of this symposium is to 1) demonstrate the importance of cognitively enriched physical activity for healthy ageing; 2) explain why this is novel and promising; 3) outline and discuss the effectiveness of three combined PA and CA interventions; and 4) summarize and compare the results and discuss how findings may inform future research. 

Summary: The concept and importance of cognitively enriched physical activity for healthy ageing will be introduced by the chair. This will be followed by three presentations focusing on combined PA and CA for the promotion of physical and cognitive health in older adults. The first presentation will elaborate on the effects of a supervised 12-month physical and cognitive training program on gait speed and cognition. The second presentation will present evidence from a six-month home-based individual PA and CA intervention on cognitive function, cardiorespiratory fitness and mobility. The third presentation will focus on the effects of a six-month cognitively enriched walking program on cognition and physical activity levels.

Format: The chair, Prof. Jannique van Uffelen, will introduce the general topic of the symposium, followed by three ten-minute presentations, each with a further five minutes allocated for questions/clarifications. These will be delivered by Prof. Dr. Sarianna Sipilä (Finland), Dr. Emma Dupuy (Canada), and Drs. Pauline Hotterbeex (Belgium). The discussant, Prof. Dr. Sebastien Chastin (Scotland), will provide an overview of the main issues and will facilitate the subsequent audience discussion for at least 15 minutes. 

Interaction: Interaction in the online symposium will be facilitated by the chair, Prof. Jannique van Uffelen. She will ask the online delegates if they have questions about the presentations or comments or remarks about the live discussion.

Speaker