Document Type : Original Article
Researchers
Allameh Tabatabai University
Ministerial Ethics Committee
With the increasing population of older adults, the prevalence of cognitive and motor impairments has also risen, emphasizing the need to identify effective therapeutic and exercise-based interventions to enhance their motor and cognitive functions. Numerous studies have demonstrated that physical exercise can improve these functions. Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) exercises, which are designed based on developmental movement patterns in infants—such as rolling and crawling—may provide a novel and beneficial training approach for the elderly.The present study aims to examine the effects of DNS exercises on motor and cognitive performance in older adults. This research will adopt a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test assessments and a control group. The study population includes elderly individuals aged 60–75 years residing in the Sedigh nursing home in Khorramabad. Twenty participants will be randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (ten in each). The intervention will consist of an eight-week DNS training program performed three times per week. Motor and cognitive performances will be evaluated using standard assessments, including the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Nejati Cognitive Questionnaire.The results of this study are expected to contribute to the development of effective exercise programs aimed at improving the quality of life and functional abilities of older adults in wellness centers, nursing homes, and fitness facilities.