Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42473708›Full record

ArticleEuropean journal of sport science2026

Exploring the Cognitive Effects of Closed-Serial and Closed-Continuous Exercise in Aging: A Study on Dance and Endurance Training.

R Forte, O Caputo, C Vecchiato, F Sarto, G Martino, G Tedesco, M Marino, A Angrilli, G De Vito, M Narici

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In one paragraph

Article in European journal of sport science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

R ForteDepartment of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.
O CaputoNeuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
C VecchiatoNeuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
F SartoNeuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
G MartinoNeuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2202-257X
G TedescoDepartment of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
M MarinoDepartment of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
A AngrilliDepartment of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
G De VitoNeuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6855-9180
M NariciNeuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

Funding

Next Generation EU-National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Investment PE8-Project Age-It: 'Aging Well in an Aging Society'. The views and opinions expressed are only those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them. DM 1557 11.10.2022
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Physical exercise benefits both cognition and physical health in aging, but it remains unclear whether benefits derive mainly from intensity or task complexity. Continuous exercises involve repetitive and predictable movements (e.g., running), whereas serial exercises (e.g., dancing) integrate varied motor sequences, and are cognitively more demanding. Clarifying the contribution of intensity and complexity is crucial for designing physically safe yet cognitively stimulating programs, maximizing preventive and rehabilitative potential in older adults. The aim of the study was to compare the ability of continuous versus serial exercises to improve executive functions. Seventy-two participants (mean age 66.8) were assigned to three groups: dance (DNC), endurance (END), and inactive controls (INA). Executive functions were assessed through the Flanker, Corsi-Block, and Trail Making tests. Groups were compared with MANOVA, followed by ANOVAs and LSD post-hoc. A group effect emerged in the Flanker task (p = 0.006). END showed faster overall response times (RT) than DNC (p = 0.002) and INA (p < 0.001); DNC and INA did not differ. Incongruent RT tended to be faster in END versus DNC (p = 0.068) and was faster versus IAC (p = 0.003). For congruent RT, DNC and END outperformed IAC (p = 0.002; p = 0.001). Conflict cost was lower in DNC versus INA (p = 0.041) and END (p = 0.043), with no INA versus END difference. Continuous exercise enhanced general processing speed, whereas serial exercise appeared more effective for cognitive flexibility and selective attention. These findings support prior evidence to guide future large-scale interventions aimed at optimizing exercise-based cognitive training for older adults.

Indexed as

AgingCognitionDancingEndurance TrainingExecutive FunctionExerciseAgedCognitive EnhancementFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedReaction Timeexecutive functionsexercise complexityexercise intensityolder adultsphysical activity

Identifiers

PMID42473708
PMCPMC13382366

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.