Extended Abstract
Background and Purpose
control is influenced by higher-order cognitive processes and plays a vital role in performing complex activities, effective interventions to preserve these capabilities in old age are essential. Structured upper-limb exercises requiring active sensory information processing can effectively activate cortical regions associated with cognition as well as motor areas. The level of cortical activation may vary depending on hand function and activity. This suggests a predictive relationship between cognitive function and upper-limb motor performance—indeed, higher cognitive function appears to correlate with enhanced upper-limb motor performance. Life Kinetik training is a mind-body exercise that integrates three key components—cognitive challenges, motor activities, and visual-perceptual training (particularly peripheral visual perception). Research indicates that such training can improve cognitive functions, especially executive functions, as well as enhance physical abilities. Accordingly, the present study aimed to examine the effects of Life Kinetik training on upper limb motor function (grip strength, manual dexterity, motor coordination, and arm stability) and executive functions in elderly women.
Methods
This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest control group design involving 30 elderly women aged over 60 years. The inclusion criteria were: (1) age > 60 years, (2) no history of acute cardiopulmonary diseases, traumatic brain injuries, or orthopedic conditions, (3) absence of severe physical impairments, (4) ability to walk independently without assistive devices, (5) minimum score of 21 on the Mini Mental State Examination, and (6) ability to complete a buttoning test in <25 seconds. Exclusion criteria included unwillingness to continue participation or missing >3 training sessions. Ethical approval (code: IR.UI.REC.1403.142) was obtained from the University of Isfahan Research Ethics Committee, and written informed consent was acquired from all participants. Participants were purposively sampled from the elderly population of Isfahan and randomly allocated to either an experimental group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The experimental group completed 12 weeks of Life Kinetik training (3 sessions/week, 60 minutes/session). The duration of each session was 60 minutes. The first 15 minutes were dedicated to stretching and breathing exercises. In the next 30 minutes, Life Kinetik exercises were performed using equipment such as balls, napkins, ropes, and rackets, progressing from simple and basic to more complex patterns. Also, a 30-second rest period was considered between each exercise. At the end of the training session, the recovery phase was performed for 15 minutes, focusing on low-intensity stretching movements. The Pegboard, Dynamometer, Finger-to-Nose, Arm Stability, and Tower of London tests were used to measure manual dexterity, grip strength, coordination, arm stability, and executive functions, respectively. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to analyze the data.
Results
For grip strength, the within-group effect (F(1,28) = 19.278, p < 0.001, η² = 0.408) and the interaction of time × group (F(1,28) = 21.648, p < 0.001, η² = 0.436) were significant. Post hoc analysis revealed that the mean grip strength in the experimental group significantly increased after the intervention compared to the control group (p = 0.050, mean difference = 3.53). For manual dexterity, the time × group interaction was significant (F(1,28) = 18.797, p < 0.001, η² = 0.404). Bonferroni post hoc analysis showed significant within-group changes in the experimental group (p < 0.001, mean difference = 1.80), and between-group comparison revealed significantly higher scores in the experimental group compared to the control (p = 0.003, mean difference = 1.60). In motor coordination, the between-group effect (F(1,28) = 10.909, p = 0.003, η² = 0.280), time × group interaction (F(1,28) = 5.626, p = 0.025, η² = 0.167), and within-group effect (F(1,28) = 16.085, p < 0.001, η² = 0.365) were all significant. Post hoc tests showed that the experimental group significantly outperformed both its own pretest scores and the control group in the posttest (p < 0.001, mean difference = 4.93). For arm stability, a significant time × group interaction was observed for all three wrist stability components. Post hoc analysis indicated that in within-group comparisons, the experimental group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in Yaw-Pitch (p < 0.001, mean difference = 6.66), Yaw-Roll (p = 0.002, mean difference = 6.57), and Roll-Pitch (p < 0.001, mean difference = 6.57), and the mean scores of all three components—Yaw-Pitch, Yaw-Roll, and Roll-Pitch—decreased significantly in the experimental group after performing the exercises. Between-group comparisons demonstrated statistically superior performance in the experimental group in Yaw-Pitch (p = 0.037, mean difference = 6.55), Yaw-Roll (p = 0.041, mean difference = 6.57), and Roll-Pitch (p = 0.040, mean difference = 6.56). For executive functions (Tower of London test), the within-group effect (F(1,28) = 11.487, p = 0.002, η² = 0.291) and the time × group interaction (F(1,28) = 18.699, p < 0.001, η² = 0.400) were significant. Post hoc analysis indicated that the mean executive function score in the experimental group significantly increased after the intervention (p < 0.001, mean difference = 4.40), and between-group comparison also showed significantly higher scores in the experimental group compared to the control (mean difference = 2.73, p = 0.046).
Conclusion
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Life Kinetik coordination-cognitive training on upper-limb motor performance and executive functions in older adults. The results demonstrated that eight weeks of Life Kinetik training significantly improved upper-limb motor function in the elderly. These findings align with prior research highlighting the positive effects of dual-task motor-cognitive exercises on motor performance. Life Kinetik exercises incorporate three core components: (1) cognitive tasks, (2) simultaneous multitasking, and (3) motor activities. These exercises combine unconventional movements, concurrent processing of multiple sensory stimuli, and cognitive challenges, which collectively enhance neuromuscular activation and elevate motor control. Furthermore, the eight-week intervention led to measurable improvements in executive functions among participants. This outcome is consistent with studies demonstrating the efficacy of motor-cognitive training in stimulating prefrontal neural networks and enhancing cognitive flexibility. The observed benefits may be attributed to Life Kinetik's role in upregulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). By reinforcing memory processes, boosting metabolic efficiency, and promoting synaptic plasticity, BDNF appears to critically underlie the enhancement of executive functions. From an applied perspective, the present findings indicate that Life Kinetik exercises can be employed as a simple, engaging, and accessible method for the rehabilitation of older adults. Improvements in grip strength and manual dexterity can enhance seniors' independence in activities such as grasping objects, fastening buttons, or writing. Furthermore, the enhancement of executive functions can strengthen decision-making abilities, problem-solving skills, and the management of daily tasks such as medication adherence or financial management. This holds significant practical importance, as the integration of cognitive and motor components in training induces comprehensive adaptations in the nervous system that extend beyond a single domain and may contribute to improved quality of life.
Article Message
The Life Kinetik coordination-cognitive training model is a non-invasive method that can be implemented in various settings (e.g., clinical centers, home environments) with minimal cost and adverse effects. Therefore, these exercises may represent a promising intervention for enhancing motor and cognitive functions and, ultimately, improving the quality of life in older adults.
Ethical Considerations
The present study was conducted after confirmation and receiving the code of ethics (IR.UI.REC.1403.142) from the Scientific Research Committee of the University of Isfahan.
Authors’ Contributions
Conceptualization: The second and third authors
Data Collection: The first author
Data Analysis: The fourth author
Manuscript Writing: The first author
Review and Editing: Second and fourth authors
Responsible for funding: [Not specified in original]
Literature Review: The first, second, and third authors
Project Manager: Second author
Any other Contributions: [Not specified in original]
Conflict of Interest
No conflict of interest has been declared by the authors.
Acknowledgments
This article is extracted from a doctoral dissertation. We sincerely thank the elderly women who took part in this study.