Physical activity enhances cognitive performance and reduces the progression of dementia symptoms (Liu et al., 2020; Swinnen et al., 2021; Henskens et al., 2018). The aim of this research is to investigate the impact of physical activity on the judgment processes of older people with dementia. The aim is to assess the effect of physical activity on their information integration abilities. Three groups of old people participated in this study. An "active" group, consisting of older people with dementia (N=9), received three "throwing training" sessions per week. An "inactive" group, also comprising old people with dementia (N=7), did not engage in any physical activity. Healthy old people (N=13) formed the control group who conducted the assessment only once at T0 (0 months) to obtain baseline results. At 3-month intervals, using a judgment scale, the judgment of success in throwing tasks combining three pieces of information (in cognito) was assessed for the two other groups. The same scenarios were presented in real-life conditions (in vivo) to the "active" group, who performed these throws. Comparative statistical analyses were conducted at T0, T3, and T6. The study revealed a difference in judgment processes between old people with dementia and healthy old people. It also demonstrated a difference in judgment processes between old people with dementia who received physical activity and those who did not. Training in real-life throwing scenarios (in vivo) facilitated information integration in the judgment task (in cognito). Physical practice positively affects judgment processes. It preserved information integration ability in old people with dementia.

Statistica, 8