Effects of YogaFit® vs. Zumba® Gold on Cognitive Functioning in an Elderly Female Population

There is growing interest in interventions to lower the risk of cognitive decline in the aging process. The purpose of this study is to assess how Zumba® Gold or YogaFit® affect cognitive functioning in elderly adults. This research was designed to assess the benefits of these two interventions and determine which intervention might lead to greater improvement. Female participants age 65 to 91 years of age from Minot, North Dakota participated 30 minutes twice weekly for 12 weeks in either YogaFit® or Zumba® Gold classes. Cognitive functioning of participants was assessed pre-mid-post intervention. Significant improvements in cognitive functioning at mid and post assessment were found in both YogaFit® and Zumba® Gold participants. The results support that the growing body of evidence that physical activity, specifically YogaFit® and Zumba® Gold exercise, may contribute to improvements in cognitive functioning.

Keywords: Aging, Cognition; Exercise; YogaFit®; Zumba® Gold