THE EFFECTS OF AEROBIC FITNESS ON BILATERAL TRANSFER IN OLDER ADULTS

https://youtu.be/IeqZjXvh-S0 INTRODUCTION: Transfer between limbs in older adults is typically symmetrical, with similar changes in the non-dominant limb following practice with the dominant limb and vice versa. This symmetry is caused by compensatory ipsilateral hemispheric activation due to motor control deficiencies with aging. High levels of aerobic fitness have been shown to help older adults retain healthy contralateral hemispheric activation during movement control. Previous research shows that high reported physical activity exhibits asymmetrical transfer in older adults similarly to what is seen in young healthy adults. However, the effects of aerobic fitness on bilateral transfer have not been assessed. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aerobic fitness on bilateral transfer in older adults. METHODS: 12 right-handed participants (65-80) were grouped by aerobic fitness level determined via a 2-minute walk test to estimate VO2 max following training. Prior to training, handedness was determined via the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. Individuals performed a 30° visual rotation drawing task assessing movement parameters. Pre-test of two trials with each limb established baseline performance, followed by 40 practice trials on the left limb. Post-tests mirrored pre-tests assessing same-side learning and the transfer of motor planning parameters including movement time, normalized jerk, trajectory length, and initial direction error. RESULTS: A 2 (time) x 2 (group) repeated measures ANOVA was conducted for each independent variable. A main effect for time showed bilateral transfer occurred irrespective of aerobic fitness for movement time (Mean diff = 1.24s ± .226; F(3,8) = 21.9, p .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that older adults exhibit younger adult hemispheric activation, and certain motor parameters are not influenced by aerobic fitness. These findings could be due to compensatory ipsilateral hemispheric activation being motor parameter specific. Aerobic exercise may be used to supplement retention of healthy motor control in an older adult population. Older adults with lower aerobic fitness still show bilateral transfer for some parameters, so interventions should be tailored based on specific motor goals rather than fitness level alone.