Effectiveness of Badminton Physical Program on Mental Capacities in Healthy Older Adults

Older people suffer from reduced mental and cognitive parameters such as executive function, working memory and cognitive flexibility. However, information about how racquet sports can improve mental skills in older adults requires greater analysis and research. To verify the effects of badminton physical program on cognitive function in older adults. We sought to examine the beneficial effects of badminton physical programs on multi-cognitive domains among healthy older adults. Specific cognitive functions were measured using the Stroop Test, the Digit Span Test, and the Mini-Mental State Examination. 40 older adults recruited from the University of Monastir were allocated into two groups: the intervention group (IG, N = 20), enrolled in a badminton program, and the control group (CG, N = 20) participants were given typical duties and asked to stick to their daily schedule (book reading, home tasks). The physical activity protocol was performed three times a week, one hour per session, for a total period of two months. The activities proposed were not systematized and were aimed at promoting social interaction among participants. Our findings show no significant difference in the initial components between the intervention and control groups. Significant improvements in cognitive parameters were found after the physical program in the IG (p < 0.05), except the Mini-Mental State Examination test (p = 0.33). Physical activity is considered one of the most therapeutic methods for improving mental capacities in older adults.