A randomized controlled trial conducted on elderly individuals shows that an improvement in physical fitness and cognition might be achieved by increasing each day physical activity to a certain level. The trial findings are published within the journal Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy.
Study: The results of a moderate physical activity intervention on physical fitness and cognition in healthy elderly with low levels of physical activity: a randomized controlled trial. Image Credit: Ground Picture / Shutterstock
Background
Dementia is a gaggle of conditions characterised by impaired memory, pondering, and other cognitive and social abilities. Subclinical neuropathological changes that occur before the diagnosis of dementia can slowly affect the cognition, behavior, and physical activity of a person.
Increasing physical activity is taken into account a promising approach to forestall, or at the least delay, cognitive decline, and dementia. Some studies have shown that individuals with low physical activity can achieve cognitive improvement by performing moderate-intensity physical activities for at the least six months. In contrast, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have failed to indicate any positive association between physical activity and cognitive improvement.
In the present randomized controlled trial, scientists have investigated whether a 35% or more induction in physical activity results in an improvement in physical fitness, cognitive functioning, and overall well-being in healthy elderly individuals with a low level of physical activity. The duration of the trial was nine months.
Trial design
A complete of 102 participants were enrolled for the trial. The participants were randomly categorized into two groups. Within the intervention group, the COACH method was applied to 69 participants. Within the control group, the STRETCH method was applied to 33 participants. The participants were assessed at baseline and at six and nine months of follow-up.
The COACH method aimed to extend low-to-moderate intensity physical activity using a pedometer-based exercise counseling strategy. The strategy included seven coaching sessions conducted over a period of six months. A follow-up session was also included nine months after the start of the intervention.
The participants within the STRETCH group were subjected to seven individually guided muscle stretching sessions conducted for a period of six months. This group was treated because the control group.
The trial primarily aimed to evaluate the participant’s physical activity, cognitive function, and physical fitness. As well as, the trial assessed cardiovascular risk factor profile, daily-life activities, frailty, and mental health.
Impact of intervention on physical activity
The intervention group participants significantly improved the variety of average steps per day. Nonetheless, no significant changes in self-reported physical activity, fitness, and cognitive ability were observed on this group.
At baseline, female participants had a lower walking speed than male participants. Nonetheless, after the intervention, female participants achieved a significantly higher walking speed compared to manage participants. Considering male participants, no significant difference in walking speed was observed between the intervention and control groups.
Impact of intervention on physical and mental health
Within the intervention group, limitations in daily-life activities decreased amongst participants. Over time, mental health improved amongst participants within the control group.
By way of frailty, depression symptoms, and overall mental health, the intervention didn’t have a major impact.
Participants with an intended increase in physical activity
A separate comparison was performed within the trial between participants who did achieve or didn’t achieve an intended improvement in physical activity of 35% or more. The participants who achieved the intended improvement were younger and had a better level of cognitive activity at baseline.
A rise in physical activity of 35% or more over nine months was found to significantly improve aerobic capability, walking speed, global cognition, executive functioning, and verbal memory.
The findings of the subgroup evaluation revealed that a rise in physical activity of 35% or more leads to a greater improvement in executive functioning amongst ApoE-ε4 allele carriers than non-carriers. The carriers of the ApoE-ε4 allele are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Significance
The trial findings indicate that elderly individuals with a low level of physical activity can improve their physical fitness and cognitive functions by increasing physical activity by 35% or more.