Trait Mindfulness Gains Associated with Executive Functioning Improvements Following Physical Exercise in Older Adults

Abstract Purpose Although there are certain injury risks associated with sports participation (e.g., concussion), there are also neuropsychological benefits relating to physical activity. Evidence suggests that trait mindfulness (TM) may contribute to the neuropsychological benefits of physical activity and exercise, including those pertaining to executive functioning (EF) and mood. The present study aimed to investigate the degree to which changes in TM accounted for changes in neuropsychological functioning following a remote physical exercise training program for older adults. It was hypothesized that increases in TM would predict improvements in self-reported EF and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Methods As part of a larger RCT, 43 older adults (70% females, 65-81 years-old) from across Canada completed an online assessment measuring TM, EF, and mood before and after engaging in an 8-week remote physical exercise training program. Results Linear regression analyses showed that pre-post changes in TM explained a significant proportion of variance in self-reported changes in EF, r2=.18, F(1,24)=5.11, p<.05, but did not for symptoms of depression, r2=.06, F(1,24)= 1.53, p= 23 or anxiety, r2=.04, F(1,24)=1.08, p=.31. More specifically, bivariate correlations demonstrated that gains in TM were significantly associated with increases in reported impulse control, r=.48, p=.01, and empathy, r=.42, p<.05. Conclusions These results suggest that for older adults engaging in exercise, gains in trait mindfulness may be associated with benefits to certain aspects of executive functioning. These findings also invite sports neuropsychologists to consider level of mindfulness when evaluating individuals (e.g., athletes) engaged in exercise.