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JMERC
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Janbazan Medical and Engineering Research Center (JMERC) is the owner of IJWPH.
Ethics code: IR.IAU.B.REC.1403.044
History
Received: 2025/12/26 | Accepted: 2026/02/10
Received: 2025/12/26 | Accepted: 2026/02/10
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Abstract (248 Views)
Aim: Physical exercise is a useful stimulus in improving cognitive function in the elderly, which seems to be mediated by stimulating the secretion of neurotrophic growth factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of functional training on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and executive functions in obese elderly men.
Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design. For this purpose, 30 elderly men living in a nursing home in Khorramabad, aged 60 to 75, were randomly assigned to two groups of 15: training and control. In the pre-test phase, blood was drawn from the participants after a 12-hour fast, and then the participants performed the Stroop task test. Physical training was performed for eight weeks, 3 sessions per week, each session lasting 40 minutes. The post-test phase was conducted 48 hours after the last training session and was conducted like the pre-test. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and univariate analysis of covariance.
Findings: The results of the present study showed that functional training has a significant effect on increasing the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in obese elderly men (P<0.05). Functional training also has a significant effect on improving executive functions (number of correct responses, reaction time of correct responses) in obese elderly men (P<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, it is recommended that trainers and geriatric specialists pay attention to teaching functional exercises to improve executive functions.
Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design. For this purpose, 30 elderly men living in a nursing home in Khorramabad, aged 60 to 75, were randomly assigned to two groups of 15: training and control. In the pre-test phase, blood was drawn from the participants after a 12-hour fast, and then the participants performed the Stroop task test. Physical training was performed for eight weeks, 3 sessions per week, each session lasting 40 minutes. The post-test phase was conducted 48 hours after the last training session and was conducted like the pre-test. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and univariate analysis of covariance.
Findings: The results of the present study showed that functional training has a significant effect on increasing the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in obese elderly men (P<0.05). Functional training also has a significant effect on improving executive functions (number of correct responses, reaction time of correct responses) in obese elderly men (P<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, it is recommended that trainers and geriatric specialists pay attention to teaching functional exercises to improve executive functions.
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