Offer balance training as a cognitive intervention alternative for individuals unable to do aerobic training¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 3 claims (2 for, 1 mixed) · 1 study (1 causal), q3 · 1 of 1 report an effect size · 3 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The article recommends balance training "might represent a promising alternative intervention for individuals who are not able to participate in aerobic training following health restrictions". The 12-week program required no equipment-heavy aerobic workload yet improved memory and spatial cognition. Implementers should replicate the progressive circuit format with reactive postural tasks twice weekly.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks with progressive, varied balance tasks

Constraints¶

• Cognitive benefits demonstrated only for memory and spatial cognition; executive functions showed no effects in this trial

Target Learners¶

• adults with health restrictions precluding aerobic training
• healthy adults

Target Learning Goals¶

• memory improvement
• spatial cognition

Affordances¶

• Vestibular Stimulation Cognition Mediator

Claims¶

• Balance training improves memory in healthy adults relative to relaxation training [+W]
• Balance training improves spatial cognition in healthy adults relative to relaxation training [+W]
• In one 12-week trial, balance and relaxation training did not detectably differ in their effects on cardiorespiratory fitness, Stroop interference, or psychopathological symptoms [~W]

Related Strategies¶

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Rogge, A.-K., Röder, B., Zech, A., Nagel, V., Hollander, K., Braumann, K.-M. & Hötting, K. (2017). Balance training improves memory and spatial cognition in healthy adults. Scientific Reports 7:5661. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-06071-9