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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
Published on: September 20, 2020
Gender- and domain-specific effects of a 6-month multidimensional exercise program on attention and verbal fluency in
Marlene Krumpolt1, Anneke Schumacher1, Lucas Sannemann1
1Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Department of Sport, Technology and Movement Science, Magdeburg, Germany.
Background:
Regular physical activity supports cognitive functioning in older age, yet little is known about domain- and gender-specific adaptations following multidimensional training. This study examined the effects of a six-month multidimensional exercise program on attention and verbal fluency in previously inactive older adults aged 65-70 years.
Methods:
Participants were assigned to an intervention group (IG; n = 66, f = 44) or an inactive control group (CG; n = 31, f = 22). The six-month intervention combined structured fitness sessions and diverse recreational sports activities provided by local clubs, resulting in a multidimensional exercise program engaging physical, coordinative, cognitive, and social components. Selective and divided attention, reaction time, accuracy, and verbal fluency were assessed and analyzed using linear mixed models.
Results:
Significant improvements were observed for selective attention (Time × Group p = 0.034; Time × Group × Gender p = 0.031), with larger gains in men. Divided attention and phonemic fluency also improved, with women showing clearer benefits in divided attention and men in phonemic fluency. Semantic fluency remained largely stable at the group level, although within-group improvements were observed among women.
Conclusion:
The six-month multidimensional training program primarily reaches previously inactive older adults who would otherwise not find a suitable program and may support selective and divided attention as well as phonemic fluency. These findings highlight the relevance of gender-sensitive, multidimensional exercise interventions for maintaining cognitive functioning in later life.
