Effects of cognitive, motor, and karate training on cognitive functioning and emotional well-being of elderly people

Abstract

The present study investigated the influence of cognitive, motor, and Karate (accordingly the guidelines of the German-Karate-Federation, DKV) training on the cognitive function- ing and mental state of older people between 67 and 93 years of age. The three training groups each consisted of 12 elderly participants; the waiting control group included 9 par- ticipants. Before the training, participants were evaluated with cognitive measurements (cognitive speed: number-connection test, number-symbol test; memory performance: digit-span test, blocking-tapping test, figure test) and a measurement of emotional well- being. After this pre-testing they participated the specific training in on average sixteen 1-h training sessions.The cognitive training exercised inductive thinking ability, the motor train- ing worked on easy stretching and mobilization techniques, and the Karate training taught tasks of self-defense, partner training, and Katas. After completion of the training sessions, all tests were applied again.The results show no significant difference in cognitive improve- ment dependent on group between the three training conditions. However a significant improvement was found in the emotional mental state measurement for the Karate group compared to the waiting control group. This result suggests that the integrated involve- ment in Karate leads to a feeling of self-worth and that, even in elderly people, integration of new sports helps to improve quality of life. © 2012 Jansen and Dahmen-Zimmer.