The physical condition from the perspective of complexity: Application of a physical activity program for Alzheimer's disease

TL;DR

This study applied a non-linear, complexity-based physical activity protocol to adults with Alzheimer's, resulting in improved cognitive and motor functions, demonstrating the potential of tailored exercise programs for disease management.

Contribution

It introduces a novel non-linear, complexity theory-based methodology for designing physical activity programs for Alzheimer's patients.

Findings

Improved scores in cognitive tests and fitness assessments.

Enhanced quality of life and autonomy in patients.

Effective application of complexity principles in exercise planning.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is a sickness that has been studied from various areas of knowledge (biomarkers, brain structure, behavior, cognitive impairment). Our aim was to develop and to apply a protocol of programmed physical activity according to a non-linear methodology to enhance or diminish the deterioration of cognitive and motor functions of adults with this disease, using concepts of complexity theory for planning and programing the program. We evaluated 18 patients (12 women and 6 men) diagnosed with mild and moderate grade. We worked in small groups (2 people/coach), a total of 16 weeks, 5 sessions per week and 60 minutes per session. We designed a protocol that integrated work balance, joint mobility, coordination, muscular strength and metabolic efficiency. The strong point of this intervention was how to design the planning of tasks for patients. The tasks were developed in parallel to processes of evocation and cognitive association individually designed and presented in order of complexity. In all subjects studied, we found an improvement in the results obtained in the Mini-Mental State Examination screening test, test of Cricthon, Set-Test of Isaacs, Clock Drawing Test and Trail Making Test, and the evaluation test of fitness. The physical activity program designed and the methodology used, has been an adecuated tool to improve quality of life and autonomy of subjects analyzed.