The effects of six-month exercise programs on structural changes in gray and white matter volume and balance abilities in senior citizens: the case for dance training
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1
Otto-von-Guericke University, Department of Sport Science, Germany
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2
Otto-von-Guericke University, Center of Neuroscientific Innovation and Technology, Germany
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3
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Germany
Cardiovascular fitness has a positive impact on brain volume and cognition in seniors (Colcombe et al., 2003). Recent investigations suggest that physical training with additional demands on working memory and spatial perception is superior to aerobic training. We hypothesized that physical exercise that integrates complex motor patterns would have a beneficial effect on gray and white matter volume and balance skills.
57 healthy subjects (65-80 years) were randomly assigned into dance and sport groups. Both groups practiced twice a week, 90 minutes for 6 months. The dance training (DT) included complex movements requiring a constant motor learning process. The physical training (PT) focused on aerobic fitness using stereotyped, repetitive exercise.
Magnetic resonance images (3T) were analysed using voxel-based morphometry. Balance was evaluated using the sensory organization test.
DT demonstrated significant increased gray matter volumes in the anterior and medial cingular cortex, while PT increased gray matter volumes in the cerebellum, occipital and temporal cortex (p=.000, uncorrected). DT increased white matter volumes in the corpus callosum, in the right and left frontal lobes (p=.000, uncorrected). PT demonstrated increased white matter volume in the temporal and occipital area (p=.000, uncorrected).
DT demonstrated a significant (p=.010) improvement in balance, especially in somatosensory (p= .035) and visual (p=.001) aspects.
The regions demonstrating growth are known to be involved in memory, multisensory integration and interhemispheric communication. The results suggest that multimodal stimulation and the continuous learning associated with dancing is more effective than monotonic physical exercise.
Colcombe, S., Erickson, K., Raz, N., Webb, A., Cohen, N., McAuley, E. & Kramer, A.(2003).
Aerobic Fitness Reduces Brain Tissue Loss in Aging Humans. Journal of Gerontology: MEDICAL SCIENCES, 58 A (2), 176-180.
Keywords:
balance,
Elderly,
white matter,
dance,
Senior Citizens,
Sport,
strength training,
structural MRI,
gray matter,
Endurance training,
voxel-based morphomtry
Conference:
XII International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON-XII), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 27 Jul - 31 Jul, 2014.
Presentation Type:
Poster
Topic:
Motor Behaviour
Citation:
Rehfeld
K,
Hoekelmann
A,
Lueders
A,
Kaufmann
J and
Mueller
NG
(2015). The effects of six-month exercise programs on structural changes in gray and white matter volume and balance abilities in senior citizens: the case for dance training.
Conference Abstract:
XII International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON-XII).
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2015.217.00378
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Received:
19 Feb 2015;
Published Online:
24 Apr 2015.
*
Correspondence:
Mrs. Kathrin Rehfeld, Otto-von-Guericke University, Department of Sport Science, Magdeburg, Germany, kathrin.rehfeld@ovgu.de