The Relationship between a High Level of Physical Fitness and Working Memory in Blind, Deaf, and Non-disabled Adolescents

Abstract

This research investigated the working memory of blind, deaf, and non-disabled adolescents after performing long term physical activity. A group of 72 male adolescents (aged from 15 to 18 years) was divided into groups with maximal oxygen consumption (H-) and a group with the lowest oxygen consumption (L-) (10 subjects in each group HB HD and HN Vs LB LD and LN). Neuropsychological tasks including non-verbal, verbal, and tactile memory tests were adapted and tested for reliability in 30 male normal extra-subjects that were 0.97, 0.83, and 0.82 respectively. The results found that blind individuals with a high fitness level (HB) responded with higher tactile memory scores (P<0.001) while deaf individuals with a high fitness level (HD) had shorter non-verbal memory times (P<0.05), compared to their control groups. Moreover, disabled students with a high level of fitness (HB and HD) displayed cognitive capacities close to non-disabled with a low fitness level (LN) students (P>0.05). In conclusion, the opportunity for sensory-motor integration into working memory through intact vision or hearing can be enhanced by a suitable amount of exercise.