Effect of handball training on cognitive ability in elderly with mild cognitive impairment

The aim was to examine the effect of handball training on cognitive ability in elderly with mild cognitive impairment. A total of 60 elderly were randomly divided into training group (n = 30) and control group (n = 30). The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score and abilities of daily living scale (ADL) score before, after 3-month, and after 6-month intervention period was measured. The results showed that MMSE score was increased and ADL score was decreased in training group after 3-month and 6-month intervention (P < 0.05), while there were no significant changes in MMSE or ADL in control group (P£3/40.05). These preliminary results indicated that handball training can improve cognitive ability in elderly with MCI.