The Effects of Agility Training on Agility, Physical and Cognitive Functions in Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Yong Ching Ng, Yan-Ci Liu
Purpose:

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of agility training on agility, physical and cognitive function in older adults with MCI, highlighting its potential to mitigate age-related declines and improve overall functioning.

Methods:

Thirteen community-dwelling older adults with MCI were randomized into either an agility training group (AG group) or a control group (CG group). The AG group underwent 16 agility training sessions over 8 weeks, conducted on a one-on-one basis. The CG group received an 8-week health education. Participants were assessed for agility performance, motor function (walking performance, endurance, balance, muscle power, muscle strength, and flexibility), and cog­nitive function (working memory, task switching, selective attention, and inhibitory control) at before and after the intervention.

Results:

After 8 weeks of agility training, the AG group showed a significant reduction in time spent on the agility test (p=0.028), especially in the spatial orientation segment, compared to the CG group. Walking performance in the AG group improved significantly, with faster gait speed during dual-task walking (p=0.046) and increased cadence during single-task walking (p=0.035) compare to the CG group. The AG group also demonstrated significant improvements in the 6MWT, showing increases in gait speed, cadence, stride length and walking distance (p=0.028, p=0.046, p=0.026, p=0.028). Additionally, muscle strength improvements were observed in the AG group, particularly in the right hip flexor (p=0.046), both knee extensors (p=0.028, p=0.046), left knee flexor (p=0.046) and dorsiflexor (p=0.046). Furthermore, only the AG group demonstrated a significant decreased in reaction time on the Stroop task (p=0.043).

Conclusion(s):

Agility training, which integrates both physical and cognitive components serves as a time-efficient training protocol. This study demonstrated significant benefit in agility, walking performance, and muscle strength after agility training. The slightly improvement in cognitive performance was also noted. 

Implications:

Agility training may serve as a beneficial integrative training protocol for older adults with MCI, helping to address both physical and cognitive declines.

Funding acknowledgements:
National Science and Technology Council, R.O.C（111-2314-B-002-171-）
Keywords:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Agility training
Cognitive function
Primary topic:
Neurology
Second topic:
Health promotion and wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Third topic:
Community based rehabilitation
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Research Ethics Committee of National Taiwan University Hospital
Provide the ethics approval number:
202205012RINC
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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