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Table 2 Characteristics and main findings of perceptual and cognitive skills and physical activity studies of older adults

From: Does physical exercise improve perceptual skills and visuospatial attention in older adults? A review

Study Age range Number Type of exercise Structures/processes investigated Significant findings
Bakken et al., (2001) [95] 72–91 10 Aerobic Eye tracking with moving stimulus Tracking abilities tended to improve with aerobic exercise.
Roth et al. (2003) [86] 65–95 50 Questionnaires to evaluate PA Peripheral vision Reported physical activity was correlated with a better performance in performing a useful field of view task.
Gauchard et al., (2003) [99] 66–78 26 Yoga, soft gymnastics, jogging, swimming Vestibulospinal reflex and ocular movements related to visual stimulus Reaction time and visual detection was better in the physically active group.
Barnes et al. (2003) [31] > 55 349 Cardiorespiratory fitness Attention, executive function Worse cardiorespiratory fitness at baseline leads to lower scores on attention and executive function tests.
Owsley & McGwin (2004) [90] 55–83 342 Questionnaires to evaluate PA, e.g. asking about household chores, yard work, exercise-like walking, golf, swimming, etc. Peripheral vision Reported physical activity was not correlated with a better performance in a useful field of view task.
Lobjois et al., (2005) [97] 20–80 24 Tennis (aerobic, strength, balance, coordination) Eye tracking with moving stimulus at different speeds All participants performed worst when the velocity of the moving stimulus increased but older non-players showed a higher pronounced effect.
Pesce et al. (2007) [87] 60–75 25 Cycling (strength, aerobic) Visuospatial attention Physically active older adults show better visuospatial attention than sedentary older adults.
Lobjois et al., (2008) [98] 20–80 48 Tennis (aerobic, strength, balance, coordination) Track and response to a moving stimulus in a conscience timing task Non-players exhibited more errors than players, especially in the 70–80 year old group.
Marmeleira et al. (2009) [71] 60–82 32 Aerobic fitness with cognitive demands Reaction time, speed processing, movement time, divided attention, peripheral vision, psychomotor performance and executive function Exercise enhanced reaction time, speed visual processing and divided attention (though the useful field of view) and lower limb mobility.
Schorer & Baker (2009) [96] 14–51 34 Handball (aerobic, strength, balance, coordination) Eye tracking with moving stimulus Age-declines seem to be more related to motor rather to perception.
Voss et al. (2010) [35] 55–80 120 Aerobic Visuospatial attention Increase in functional connectivity correlated with aerobic exercise and might lead to an improved visuospatial attention.
Voelcker-Rehage et al. (2010) [28] 65–72 72 A battery of fitness tests to assess physical and motor fitness (cardiovascular, muscular strength, movement speed, balance, motor coordination and flexibility) Executive control, processing speed Physical and motor fitness are both related to an improved executive control and perceptual speed.
Pesce et al. (2011) [70] 60–80 48 Cycling (strength, aerobic) Visuospatial attention Older road cyclists show better visual attention than sedentary older adults.
Marmeleira et al. (2012) [89] 61–81 38 Questionnaires to evaluate PA Peripheral vision Reported physical activity correlated with better performance in a useful field of view task.
Hung & Kruse (2012) [72] 60–79 96 Tai-chi (strength, member coordination, balance and cognitive) Motor speed, visual attention Older Tai-chi practitioners were faster and had better visual attention than non-athletes of the same age.
Ballesteros et al. (2013) [1] > 60 40 Regular physical exercise (e.g., swimming, playing tennis, playing golf, or fitness training) Executive control and processing speed Exercise was related to better executive control and processing speed in older adults.
Muiños & Ballesteros (2014) [26] 19–68 45 Karate and judo (aerobic, strength, member coordination, balance) Peripheral vision The practice of martial arts was related to better peripheral vision.
Muiños & Ballesteros (2015) [27] 19–68 135 Karate and judo (aerobic, strength, member coordination, balance) Dynamic visual acuity Martial arts practitioners showed better dynamic visual acuity compared to sedentary older adults.
Ando et al. (2017) [88] 65–74 30 Not specified Peripheral vision The more intensive the physical activity, the better performance is obtained in the Useful Field of View.
Miller et al. (2017) [73] 67–79 90 Tai-chi (strength, member coordination, balance and cognitive) Executive function, visual attention, peripheral vision Tai-Chi practice correlated with the improvement of cognitive functioning and peripheral vision.
Zettel-Watson et al. (2017) [54] 52–89 50 Functional mobility, balance, lower body strength, gait, and aerobic endurance Physical measures, executive function Physical performance related to dynamic balance and aerobic endurance was associated with an enhanced processing speed, inhibition and working memory.
Huebner et al. (2017) [55] 65–74 30 Aerobic Fine motor skills Aerobic exercise improves motor learning.
  1. Note: Studies are organized by publication year. The corresponding reference appears in brackets