Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Effects of Exergame and Gross Motor-Cognitive Training in Older Adults: An RCT
Sponsor: University of Palermo
Summary
Background: Aging leads to a progressive decline in gross-motor skills and executive functions, significantly increasing fall risks. While exergaming and motor-cognitive training are effective countermeasures, literature lacks direct comparisons and data on long-term retention. Purpose:This study compares the effects of an exergaming intervention against a structured gross motor-cognitive training program in older adults, with both protocols lasting 6 weeks. It evaluates the short- and medium-term (20-week follow-up) maintenance of physical and cognitive benefits, while introducing a novel composite gross-motor index. Methods \& Question: The study addresses which intervention is more effective at improving gross-motor coordination and executive functions, and whether these adaptations persist over time.
Official title: Effects of Exergame and Gross Motor-cognitive Training on Executive Functions and Gross Motor Skills in Self-sufficient Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial With 20-week Follow-up.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
60 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
108
Start Date
2025-01-22
Completion Date
2026-05-31
Last Updated
2026-07-14
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
allenamento tramite Exergame
The protocol begins with a 10-minute warm-up focused on mobility.The central phase features 5 exergaming exercises for coordination and dual-tasking. Ex 1: participants step on floor colors matching wall projections to music (repeated twice, 2-min rest). Ex 2: pairs mimic an immersive Minecraft video pathway, ending with a color-sequencing race (6 times, 2-min rest). Ex 3: pairs sum projected dice, navigate an obstacle/ladder course with a ball, shoot into a parity-coded basket, and complete a multi-task return loop (4 rounds, 2 sets, 2-min rest). Ex 4: pairs hold projected poses for 10s, then race to grab vowel/consonant-coded markers (3 sets, 2-min rest). Ex 5: participants tap a 4-quadrant numerical screen in chronological order, combined with timed ball-transfers (3 progressive speed sets). A 10-min cool-down follows with torso stretches, lunges, and deep breathing
Gross motor-cognitive training
The protocol begins with a 10-minute warm-up focused on mobility. The central phase consists of 5 multi-stage exercises targeting gross-motor coordination and dual-tasking. In Exercise 1, pairs perform rhythmic movements to music (high knees, stepping) for 5 repetitions before passing a ball, repeated twice per song with a 2-3 min rest. Exercise 2 involves walking along a wall and tapping colored targets on cue (3 sets of 10 reps, performed twice, 40s rest). In Exercise 3, participants navigate a course with obstacles, an agility ladder, and a backward-counting slalom, ending with a target throw (4 rounds, 2 sets). Exercise 4 targets partner single-leg balance, holding a stance or tapping feet for 10s/10 reps (3 sets, performed twice, 30s rest). Exercise 5 enhances reaction time via partner ball-passing and grabbing floor markers based on semantic/arithmetic cues (10 reps, 2 blocks per set, 30s rest). Finally, a 10-minute cool-down promotes recovery through stretching and deep breathin
Locations (1)
University of Palermo
Palermo, Pa, Italy