Physical activity or exercise has long been associated with improvements in cognitive function. Effects of physical exercise on cognitive function Since approximately 10–15% of people with MCI develop Alzheimer’s disease each year, the condition of MCI is considered best stage for preventive intervention. The global prevalence of MCI is between 9.6% and 21.6%. The diagnosis of MCI requires standardized cognitive testing to rule out cognitive decline caused by other factors. In addition, according to different core clinical characteristics, MCI can also be classified into subtypes such as amnestic, executive, language/semantic, attentional, and visuospatial/perceptual. Single-domain MCI refers to only one cognitive domain being mildly impaired while multiple-domain MCI refers to mild impairments in multiple cognitive domains, but it is not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia. Based on the number of impaired cognitive domains, MCI can be divided into single-domain MCI and multiple-domain MCI. Its core symptom is the decline of cognitive function, including impairment or reduction in memory, attention, executive function, language logic, and visuospatial skills.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a state of cognitive impairment between cognitive function with normal aging and dementia. Importantly, it is best to combine this exercise with other forms of physical exercise and comprehensive treatment programs such as cognitive training, social interaction, and psychological intervention to realize its maximum effect. Square dance exercise represents a nonpharmacological intervention for the prevention and treatment of MCI.
ResultsĪccording to the results, square dance exercise directly improved the overall cognitive function of elderly individuals with MCI and indirectly affected overall cognitive function through the mediating effects of balance ability and executive function. One week before and after the intervention period, the overall cognitive function, physical fitness, and executive function of both groups were measured. The experimental group participated in square dance exercise for 12 weeks, while the control group maintained their original lifestyle habits. MethodsĪ total of 60 elderly people with MCI (60–69 years old) without square dance experience were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group ( n = 30) and a control group ( n = 30). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of square dance exercise on the overall cognitive function of elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to research its mechanisms.
Square dancing is a kind of aerobic fitness exercise without environmental restrictions that yields many benefits for physical and mental health this exercise is popular among middle-aged and elderly people in China and in these populations in other countries.