A 10-week yoga practice has no effect on cognition, but improves balance and motor learning by attenuating brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in older adults

Despite studies investigating the effect of yoga on cognitive and motor functioning in older adults, the effect on dual-task performance and motor learning and the specific mechanisms underlying the positive effect of yoga remain unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental gerontology 2020-09, Vol.138, p.110998-110998, Article 110998
Main Authors: Čekanauskaitė, Agnė, Skurvydas, Albertas, Žlibinaitė, Laura, Mickevičienė, Dalia, Kilikevičienė, Sandra, Solianik, Rima
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
BDNF
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Cognition
Dual-task
Executive functions
Humans
Mood
Postural Balance
Reaction Time
Stress
Task Performance and Analysis
Yoga
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Summary:Despite studies investigating the effect of yoga on cognitive and motor functioning in older adults, the effect on dual-task performance and motor learning and the specific mechanisms underlying the positive effect of yoga remain unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of yoga on cognition, balance under single- and dual-task conditions, and motor learning. The potential role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in induced improvement was also explored. Participants aged 60–79 years were randomized to either a control group (n = 15) or a yoga group (n = 18) for a 10-week period. The yoga group received 90-min duration yoga classes two times per week. Changes in cognition, balance under single- and dual-task conditions, and learning fast and accurate reaching movements were assessed. Yoga practice decreased (P 
ISSN:0531-5565
1873-6815
DOI:10.1016/j.exger.2020.110998