Moderate Exercise Improves Cognitive Function in Healthy Elderly People: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Physical activity in the elderly is recommended by international guidelines to protect against cognitive decline and functional impairment. Objective: This Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was set up to verify whether medium-intensity physical activity in elderly people living in the community is effective in improving cognitive performance. Design: RCT with parallel and balanced large groups. Setting: Academic university hospital and Olympic gyms. Subjects: People aged 65 years old and older of both genders living at home holding a medical certificate for suitability in non-competitive physical activity. Methods: Participants were randomized to a 12-week, 3 sessions per week moderate physical activity program or to a control condition focused on cultural and recreational activities in groups of the same size and timing as the active intervention group. The active phase integrated a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic exercises, including drills of “life movements”, strength and balance. The primary outcome was: any change in Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R) and its subscales. Results: At the end of the trial, 52 people completed the active intervention, and 53 people completed the control condition. People in the active intervention improved on the ACE-R (ANOVA: F(1;102)=4.32, p=0.040), and also showed better performances on the memory (F(1;102)=5.40 p=0.022) and visual-space skills subscales of the ACE-R (F(1;102)=4.09 p=0.046). Conclusion: A moderate-intensity exercise administered for a relatively short period of 12 weeks is capable of improving cognitive performance in a sample of elderly people who live independently in their homes. Clinical Trials Registration No: NCT03858114

Exercise Improves Long-Term Social and Behavioral Rhythms in Older Adults: Did it Play a Role during the COVID-19 Lockdown?

“…10 These results were found in a sample studied during a follow-up at 48 weeks, after a 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) on a moderate physical activity program in older adults in which the control group carried out cultural and recreational activities while the active intervention group was subjected to moderate activity. 11 , 12 The study did not find any association between resilience 13 against depressive episodes during the Covid-19 lockdown and previous physical activity. There was no difference in the frequency of depressive episodes or level of perception of QoL between the group subjected to the experimental physical activity intervention and the control group during the lockdown.…”

Gut Microbiota Markers and Dietary Habits Associated with Extreme Longevity in Healthy Sardinian Centenarians

“…Nutrients 2022, 14, 2436 2 of 25 Physiologically, aging is generally associated with low-grade systemic inflammation, determined by imbalances between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activity, which results in higher susceptibility to chronic diseases and disabilities [6][7][8]. At the gastrointestinal level, aging entails the impairment of intestinal motility and increased permeability, as well as changes to the intestinal nervous system and associated alterations in GM [9][10][11].…”

Molecular Mechanisms of Exercise and Healthspan

“…In the past decades, substantial evidence suggest that regular exercise is clearly the most potent method in both mitigating and preventing cognitive decline [ 230 , 231 , 232 , 233 , 234 , 235 , 236 , 237 , 238 ], Parkinson’s disease [ 238 , 239 , 240 ], multiple sclerosis [ 241 , 242 , 243 , 244 , 245 , 246 , 247 , 248 , 249 ], and depression [ 250 , 251 , 252 ]. In all age groups, regular exercise has been shown to enhance central nervous system functions including but not limited to cognitive function, coordination, visuospatial memory, and learning abilities [ 253 , 254 , 255 , 256 , 257 ]. A recent study by Hatch et al found that even a 30-min high intensity intermittent exercise is sufficient to enhance cognitive function in young adults [ 255 ].…”

“…A recent study by Hatch et al found that even a 30-min high intensity intermittent exercise is sufficient to enhance cognitive function in young adults [ 255 ]. Another recent clinical trial by Carta et al demonstrated that a 12-week moderate intensity exercise with a combination of endurance, resistance exercise and balancing activities significantly improved cognitive function in healthy elderly people [ 256 ]. Of note, clinical studies and meta-analyses did not find that vigorous exercise regime is superior in enhancing brain function compared to moderate exercise, suggesting that an “ideal dose” of exercise may exist, and other factors need to be considered in determining the best exercise program for different populations [ 258 , 259 , 260 ].…”