Effects of Aerobic Walking on Memory, Subjective Cognitive Complaints, and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Among Older Hypertensive Women

Abstract

Background:Hypertension is prevalent in older women and is associated with increased cognitive impairment. Exercise has demonstrated beneficial effects on cognitive function, but the impact of exercise on older hypertensive women remains unclear. We investigated the effects of an aerobic walking program on memory, subjective cognitive complaints, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in older hypertensive women. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest design was conducted. Older hypertensive women were randomly assigned to the aerobic walking group or a control group with routine care. The intervention group received a 24-week aerobic walking program. Data were collected at baseline and 24 weeks after enrollment. Participants’ characteristics, memory, subjective cognitive complaints, and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor were analyzed. Results: The aerobic walking group ( n = 30) reported improvements in total recall, delayed recall, and subjective cognitive impairment after 24 weeks of aerobic walking. Compared to the control group ( n = 28), the aerobic walking group showed significantly greater improvement in delayed recall at 24 weeks. However, aerobic walking had no significant effect on subjective cognitive complaints or brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Conclusion: The aerobic walking training significantly improved memory performance among older women with hypertension. A longer randomized controlled trial with a larger sample is necessary to confirm and further explore the effects of this intervention.

The Effects of Different Exercise Interventions on Patients with Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

“…Among the included studies, the sample sizes ranged from 31 to 415, with a mean age of 62.87 years. Eight studies (1079 participants) investigated the impact of exercise on memory function ( 48 – 55 ), eight studies (921 participants) examined the influence of exercise on executive function ( 48 , 49 , 51 – 54 , 56 , 57 ), while three studies (573 participants) explored the effects of exercise on attention ( 48 , 51 , 53 ), three studies (610 participants) investigated the influence of exercise on verbal fluency ( 49 , 53 , 58 ), and six studies (729 participants) assessed the impact of exercise on global cognitive function ( 48 , 49 , 52 , 53 , 56 , 57 ). There are a total of five intervention categories, which include Moderate-Intensity aerobic exercise (MI, N = 8) ( 49 – 53 , 55 , 57 , 58 ), High-Intensity aerobic exercise (HI, N = 2) ( 52 , 56 ), Resistance exercise (RE, N = 2) ( 48 , 53 ), Multicomponent exercise (ME, N = 3) ( 50 , 53 , 56 ), and Mind-body exercise (MBE, N = 3) ( 52 , 54 , 58 ) (Appendix 4, Appendix 5).…”

“…Among the included studies, the sample sizes ranged from 31 to 415, with a mean age of 62.87 years. Eight studies (1079 participants) investigated the impact of exercise on memory function (48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55), eight studies (921 participants) examined the influence of exercise on executive function (48, 49, 51-54, 56, 57), while three studies (573 participants) explored the effects of exercise on attention (48,51,53), three studies (610 participants)…”

Associations of Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor rs6265 Gene Polymorphism with Personality Dimensions among Athletes

“…Numerous studies indicate that physical exercise improves brain function and structure [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. In the last decades, Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) has been extensively studied in neuroscience as one of the essential mediators of exercise-induced neuroplasticity.…”