El propósito de este trabajo fue analizar los efectos de un programa integrado de actividad física y estimulación cognitiva, con una duración de 20 semanas, sobre diversas variables vinculadas al constructo función ejecutiva, comparándolo con otro programa exclusivo de actividad física. Las participantes fueron 57 mujeres de la ciudad de Málaga (España), con edades comprendidas entre los 65 y 69 años (M = 66.07; DT = 1.31). Se empleó un diseño pre-post con dos grupos aleatorizados, en el que uno de ellos realizó un programa de ejercicios físicos sin estimulación cognitiva añadida y otro que desarrolló el programa integrado de actividad física y cognitiva. Los instrumentos utilizados para evaluar las habilidades cognitivas fueron el Trail Making Test (A y B) y el Test Stroop. Se realizó un análisis de la varianza bifactorial mixto, para cada variable dependiente, con el objetivo de determinar los efectos del tratamiento. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron efectos positivos en ambos grupos y diferencias a favor del programa integrado. Este trabajo contribuye a incrementar el cuerpo de conocimiento sobre la aplicación y efectos de este tipo de intervenciones.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of a cognitive stimulation and physical activity integrated programme, over a period of twenty weeks, on several variables linked to the executive function construct, compared with other physical activity program without additional cognitive stimulation. The participants were 57 women from Malaga City, Spain, whose age ranged between 65 and 69 years old (M = 66.07; SD = 1.31). A pre-post test design was applied to two random groups. One of them followed a programme of physical exercises without added cognitive stimulation and the other one followed the cognitive and physical activity integrated programme. The tools to evaluate the cognitive skills were Trail Making Test (A and B) and Stroop Test. In order to determine the effects of the treatment a mixed bi-factor analysis of variance was applied to each dependent variable. The results revealed positive effects in both groups and differences in favor of integrated programme. This paper helps to increase the body of knowledge on the application and effects of this type of interventions.

http://dx.doi.org/10.5232/ricyde2014.03703

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