Ascolta

Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Via Giovanni Pascoli 6, Palermo, 90144, Italy.

e-Mail: giovanniangelo.navarra@unipa.it

Education

Laurea Magistrale in Scienze delle Attività Motorie Preventive e Adattate e delle Attività Sportive (classe LM-67) conseguita presso l’Università degli Studi di Palermo - 2020 / Master’s Degree in Physical Adapted Activity and Sport Science (class LM-67) – University of Palermo - 2022

 

Current Positions

• PhD Student in Health Promotion and Cognitive Sciences
• Teacher of physical education in primary school

 

PhD project title and a short abstract

PhD project title

Relationship between adapted physical activity and cognitive decline in elderly

 

Abstract

Introduction

Cognitive decline is one of the main causes of disability and loss of independence in the elderly population, preventing the sufferer not only from performing the most common daily activities, but also from maintaining normal interpersonal relationships and leading an independent life. It is estimated that the number of people involved could triple in the next 30 years, thus highlighting strategies to combat this phenomenon. Several studies have identified how physical activity can improve the cognitive functions of these subjects, however, considering the heterogeneity of the data, homogeneous protocols need to be implemented. The aim of this study is to test different adapted physical activity protocols to prevent or slow down the cognitive decline of adult-elderly subjects and improve their quality of life and the one of their caregivers.

Methods

A three-year long pre-test/post-test longitudinal intervention study will be conducted on 5 groups of adult-elderly people from Palermo and its province, randomly divided into 4 intervention groups and 1 control group. The intervention consists in the realization of adapted physical activity protocols that aim at the development of balance, neuromuscular strength and respiratory cardio fitness. All participants will be evaluated before, during and after 12 months of the intervention for 3 years: the level of physical activity, cognitive functions, functional status and quality of life of the elderly and caregivers are going to be part of the evaluation.

Expected results

It is assumed that this study will show an increase in physical function in healthy adult-elderly people or those with mild cognitive decline (MCI), associated with an improvement in their cognitive functions.

Therefore, the previously mentioned adapted physical activity protocols could be prescribed in the clinical environment to help counteract the consequences of cognitive decline by giving older people a better life expectancy.

 

Supervisor: Prof.ssa Marianna Bellafiore

 

Curriculum Vitae

 

Main research areas of interest

Elderly; Adapted Physical Activity; Cognitive Decline; Healthy Aging;

 

Researcher ID

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Giovanni-Navarra

https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0009-0000-7780-6342

https://www2.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57222395346