ECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH04
INTRODUCTION: Aging is associated with parallel declines in both physical and cognitive functions, which may compromise autonomy and overall quality of life. Dual-task performance, requiring the simultaneous execution of cognitive and motor tasks, is particularly affected. Physical activity has emerged as a promising strategy to mitigate these impairments. This study aimed to investigate whether a structured physical training program could improve dual-task performance and related functional and psychological outcomes in sedentary older adults. METHODS: This is a 12-week parallel group randomized-controlled study including sedentary adults aged >60 years. Participants were allocated into an Experimental Group (EG), which performed 3 sessions per week, consisted of 2 aerobic and 1 bodyweight resistance training sessions, or to a Control Group (CG), which received standardized guidelines for active lifestyle according to the World Health Organization. Participants were tested at baseline (BL) and after 12 weeks of protocol (W12). Assessments included dual-task performance by Timed Up and Go test (TUG) single task (ST) and dual task (DT) conditions; cognitive function by Trail-Making A and B (TMT-A/B) and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST); muscle strength by right (R) and left (L) handgrip strength (HGS), 30 second arm curl (30sACT), R and L quadriceps maximal isometric strength (QMIS), 30 second chair strand test (30sCST); balance by Y-balance test (YBT), aerobic fitness by 6 minutes walking test (6MWT); and mood state by Profile of Mood State (POMS). Within-group changes were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test; between-group differences were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test. RESULTS: Thirty-four subjects were screened and enrolled: 17 in EG [11 males, median age: 69 (65-77) years; height: 1.67 (1.62-1.74) m; body mass index (BMI): 22.8 (21.1-25.6) kg/m2] and 17 In CG [11 males; median age: 67 (65-76) years; height: 1.71 (1.62-1.78) m; BMI: 22.3 (21.2-27.7) kg/m2]. EG showed significant improvements from BL in TUG_ST (P=0.001), TUG_DT (P=0.005), TMT-A (P=0.049), 30sACT (0.002), 30sCST (P=0.001), 6MWT (P=0.028), and depression score in POMS (P=0.023). CG exhibited significant declines from BL in TUG_ST (P=0.023) and TUG_DT (P=0.021). Between-group comparisons changes revealed significant differences in TUG_ST (P<0.0001), TUG_DT (P=0.0002), 30sACT (P=0.011), and 30sCST (P=0.028). CONCLUSION: Regular physical activity combining aerobic and resistance training effectively attenuates functional and cognitive decline in sedentary older adults. These results emphasize the importance of incorporating exercise prescriptions into preventive strategies for healthy aging.
Read CV Federica MarmondiECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH04
INTRODUCTION: Global population aging raises the risk of cognitive impairment, with older women particularly affected. Pharmacological treatments for dementia provide limited benefit, prompting renewed interest in exercise-based interventions. Multicomponent training that combines aerobic, resistance, balance, and flexibility exercises can produce synergistic gains in physiological and cognitive function. However, the comparative effects of pairing exergaming with different exercise modalities on specific cognitive domains in older women with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remain unclear. This study examines how distinct multicomponent exercise protocols, each integrated with exergaming, affect cognitive outcomes in this population. METHODS: Forty-eight older women with MCI (age: 63.9±4.3 years; education: 11.1±2.8 years; BMI: 24.2±3.1 kg/m²; MoCA: 26.3±2.9) were randomized into four groups: Combo Training (CT: aerobic + resistance + exergaming, n=12), Aero-Exe Training (AET: aerobic + exergaming, n=12), Res-Exe Training (RET: resistance + exergaming, n=12), and health education control (HC, n=12). The supervised 8-week intervention used heart rate monitoring (50–80% of maximum heart rate) to control exercise intensity. Behavioral performance (accuracy-ACC, reaction time-RT) and event-related potentials (ERPs) recorded with a 32-channel EEG were assessed before and after the intervention during cognitive tasks (1-back, Stroop, Oddball, Go/No-go). RESULTS: Group comparisons revealed domain-specific improvements. In the 1-back task, CT significantly increased ACC (80.0% to 81.2%, p=0.038, ηp² =0.116) and reduced RT (738.3 ms to 726.7 ms, p=0.027, ηp² =0.125), accompanied by enhanced P300 amplitudes at frontal and parietal sites. For the Stroop task, RET improved ACC (79.2% to 80.8%, p=0.010, ηp² =0.169) and RT (818 ms to 805 ms, p=0.005, ηp² =0.198). During the Oddball task, CT raised ACC for standard stimulus (88.2% to 90.5%, p=0.017, ηp² =0.139), while AET improved processing of deviant stimuli (80.5% to 83.2%, p=0.007, ηp² =0.173). In the Go/No-go task, RET increased inhibitory ACC (75.1% to 77.6%, p=0.017, ηp² =0.158). EEG measures indicated neural efficiency gains in frontal-parietal regions for CT and RET groups. The HC group showed no significant changes in any measure. CONCLUSION: Multicomponent exercise integrated with exergaming yielded domain-specific cognitive improvements in older women with MCI. Multicomponent training enhanced working memory and sustained attention, aerobic-exergaming training improved selective attention, and resistance-exergaming training benefited executive/inhibitory functions. These findings underscore the significance of tailored exercise protocols in addressing specific cognitive deficits. Future studies should examine long-term outcomes and underlying molecular mechanisms, such as BDNF signaling.
Read CV LINXUAN GUOECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH04
INTRODUCTION: Although the beneficial effects of exercise on cognitive performance are well established, evidence regarding the optimal exercise types and doses for improving global cognition and executive function are lacking. This study aimed to determine the optimal exercise types and doses to enhance global cognition and executive function in older adults. METHODS: Five databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI) were systematically searched from inception through 7 December 2024. After screening, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment were completed, a Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis and dose–response analysis were conducted using R (version 4.2.0). Exercise interventions were categorized as non-exercise control, aerobic exercise, resistance training, mind–body exercises, and sports games. RESULTS: A total of 58 studies were included, with a sample size of 4,236 participants. Participants were aged 57–86 years. Compared with other exercise types, resistance training was associated with the greatest improvements in global cognition (SMD = 1.27; 95% CI = 0.67–1.81) and cognitive flexibility (SMD = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.11–0.90). Aerobic exercise conferred the greatest benefit for memory performance (SMD = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.14–1.01) and significantly improved global cognition (SMD = 1.10; 95% CI = 0.72–1.48) and cognitive flexibility (SMD = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.09–0.48). No exercise type yielded a significant improvement in inhibitory control. The dose–response analysis suggested optimal doses of 900 and 1,134 MET-min/week for enhancing cognitive flexibility and global cognition, respectively, both exhibiting a positive linear relationship. The optimal dose for memory performance was 541.9 MET-min/week, which exhibited an inverted U-shaped relationship. CONCLUSION: Resistance training appeared most effective for improving global cognition and cognitive flexibility, whereas aerobic exercise was optimal for enhancing memory performance in older adults. The corresponding optimal exercise doses were 900, 1,134, and 541.9 MET-min/week for cognitive flexibility, global cognition, and memory performance, respectively. In clinical practice, the physical activity guidelines recommending 600–1,200 MET-min/week can be followed, and resistance training, aerobic exercise, or their combination can be implemented to improve global cognition and executive function in older adults.
Read CV LIN ZHUECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH04