TY  - JOUR
AU  - Koon, Lyndsie
AU  - Brustad, Robert
AU  - Babkes Stellino, Megan
PY  - 2019
DA  - 2019/11/27
TI  - Social Engagement and Task Complexity: Physical Activity Characteristics and Executive Function Among Older Adults
JO  - OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine
SP  - 064
VL  - 04
IS  - 04
AB  - Physical activity participation has been found to favorably influence cognitive function across the lifespan. Specific characteristics, or qualities, of physical activity involvement (e.g., type, intensity, level of cognitive demand) may yield particular benefits. The purpose of this study was two-fold. The first objective was to develop taxonomies for two physical activity characteristics of interest: the level of task complexity (motoric and cognitive) and the level of social engagement. The second objective was to assess the relationships between these two characteristics and the level of cognitive function among active, older adults. Physical activities reported by the participants (N = 75) were evaluated separately for the level of task complexity and social engagement. Three components of cognitive function were measured as indicators of executive function: inhibition; cognitive flexibility; and working memory. Results from multiple regression analyses revealed that engagement in physical activities that had higher levels of social engagement, or involved more complexity, were not associated with improved executive function outcomes. However, the taxonomies developed to directly assess the variability in social engagement and task complexity for a variety of physical activities makes for a meaningful contribution to the literature and may be utilized in the design of physical activity interventions across the lifespan.
SN  - 2573-4393
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.1904064
DO  - 10.21926/obm.icm.1904064
ID  - Koon2019
ER  -