Physical exercises have an impact in the daily life activities, for them not only increase the endurance, strength and dexterity necessary to, for example, hold things or engage into more than one activity simultaneously (multi-tasking), but can also provide other benefits from a psychological and social point of view.
A research team headed by Costa and colleagues in Oporto (FADEUP, a sports organization which collaborates with ANARP) studied the effects of a physical activity program regarding hand dexterity, which influences the performance of daily life activities.
By being able to reach the goals that are set in the beginning of the exercises, the person may experience an improvement on the psychological aspect in terms of neurocognitive abilities, self-sufficiency, self-confidence, and overall self-esteem from learning new skills, shifting the “powerless” frame of mind to a more hopeful and optimistic one that offers better quality of life and psychological well-being.
The social aspect of the study is related to the interaction that takes place between investigators that implement the program and participants, when the latter comply with the schedule and follow instructions that are being given.
The study showed a significant difference between the first and second moment of evaluation, since the participants decrease the time taken to complete the tasks that were handed to them, particularly in fine motor skills.
Be more global or fine movements, what is important is to move!