Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Aging is characterized by changes in cognitive function such as processes to control behaviour, speed of processing and memory. Given the world's aging population, it is important to identify strategies that promote healthy cognitive aging and minimize cognitive decline. Commercial cognitive training programs are of increasing interest among the public as a method to maintain or improve cognitive functioning. However, unlike physical exercise, the effect of these products remains highly debated in the scientific literature. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of a computerized cognitive training program, alone and in combination with physical activity, on cognitive function in older adults. For this study 124 participants participated in either 8-weeks of computerized cognitive training program, a computerized cognitive training program plus exercise, or a control program. Before and after the 8-week program, participants performed comprehensive cognitive testing. Compared with the control group, participants who participated in either computerized cognitive training group (with and without exercise), performed better in tasks of selective attention and conflict resolution. In conclusion, these findings suggest that an 8-week computerized cognitive training intervention benefit cognitive processes of selective attention and conflict resolution.