ECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH09
INTRODUCTION: It has been shown that older adults who exhibit a higher level of quality of life (QoL) have a lower overall mortality rate. The concept of QoL encompasses domains such as physical and mental health, and QoL can be improved through exercise training. Depression is a serious mental illness that is frequently linked to diminished health-related quality of life (Qol) and reduced physical activity. The question of which form of exercise exerts the greatest impact on QoL remains unresolved. The aim of this RCT was to determine the impact of a 16-week programme including track and field athletics (motor skill training) and a walking training (cardiovascular training), compared to a toning and relaxation training (active control group) on QoL of the elderly population. METHODS: A battery of motoric tests (cardiorespiratory fitness - six-minute-walking test, jumping ability - counter movement jumps, lower body muscle strength - sit to stand test, hamstring and lower back flexibility - sit-and-reach test and balance - one-leg stance) and psychological questionnaires (QoL - SF-36, depression - geriatric depression scale) was administered prior to and following the training intervention. A total of 66 participants were randomly assigned to one of the three (intervention) groups. Participants were excluded from data analysis if they were absent for one test day or more than 25% of the training sessions. The remaining group consisted of 46 participants, ranging in age from 56 to 79 years (age: m = 64, SD = 5; female 23; BMI m = 24, SD = 5; MoCA m = 27, SD = 2) were subjected to a mixed 2x3 ANOVA analysis (time x group). RESULTS: For physical quality of life there was neither an interaction effect time by group, nor a main effect for group or time. In contrast, for mental quality of life the analyses revealed a significant main effect for time [F(1,43) = 4.21, p = 0.046, η² = 0.01] but neither an interaction of time by group, nor a main effect of group. For the geriatric depression scale there was a marginally significant interaction effect time by group [F(2,43) = 2.93, p = 0.064, η² = 0.02], and a marginally significant main effect for time [F(1,43) = 3.63, p = 0.063, η² = 0.01], but no effect for group. The six-minute-walking test ANOVA revealed a significant interaction of time by group [F(2,43) = 6.67, p = 0.003, η² = 0.02], a significant effect for time [F(1,43) = 48.08, p < 0.001, η² = 0.05], but no main effect for group. CONCLUSION: The current findings suggest a group-independent enhancement in cardiorespiratory fitness (most pronounced in the walking group) and QoL. Furthermore, the investigation revealed a marginally effect on depression after 16 weeks of physical training. Therefore, in addition to motor fitness, various training programmes may also improve mental health in old age. Overall, the present findings underline the effectiveness of various forms of physical activity for the elderly.
Read CV Sina Janine GertenECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH09
INTRODUCTION: The popularity of simultaneously integrated cognitive training and exercise programs is increasing as a strategy to mitigate age-related declines in cognitive function and physical fitness, and these benefits may be further enhanced in a social context. However, the effects of integrated programs—particularly when delivered as group activities—on physical fitness and body composition have not been comprehensively investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the effects of the Active4Brain program on physical fitness and body composition with those of aerobic exercise alone. METHODS: Seventy-four cognitively healthy older persons, with average age 65.5± 6.2 years, were assigned to control (n=27,) aerobic exercise (AE) (n=23) and integrated cognitive and aerobic exercise (Active4Brain) groups (n=24). Physical fitness was assessed using Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), time up and go (TUG), 30 seconds chair stand and hand grip strength tests. Body composition was analysed using bioimpedance (Inbody 770, Biospace). Evaluated parameters included body mass index (BMI), fat mass, fat percentage, muscle mass, fat to muscle ratio (FMR), and phase angle (PhA). Measurements were taken before and after the 13-week (24-session) intervention period. Within-group comparison was done using paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Between-group comparison was done with one-way Anova and Kruskal-Wallis tests by using mean differences for each group. RESULTS: Paired t-test results revealed significant increment in VO2 peak (p=.006,) in AE group and, handgrip strength (AE, p=.037 ; Active4Brain, p=.019) and 30-seconds chair stand test (AE, p=.004 ; Active4Brain, p=.010) in AE and Active4Brain group. Paired t tests results revealed significant reduction in fat percentage (p=.019) and increment in PhA (p=.029) in the Active4Brain group. Additionally, although no significant differences were observed in the within-group comparisons for the TUG test in any group, significant differences between the control and aerobic exercise (AE) groups (p = .033) were found, as indicated by the Kruskal–Wallis test. CONCLUSION: The Active4Brain program demonstrated similar benefits to aerobic exercise (AE) in handgrip strength and the 30-second chair stand test. Moreover, the Active4Brain program led to improvements in body composition, evidenced by a reduction in fat percentage and an increase in phase angle (PhA). These findings suggest that the Active4Brain program is a useful strategy for improving physical fitness and maintaining body composition in older adults while addressing the concerns regarding to the cognitive decline with ageing.
Read CV KAAN AKALPECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH09
INTRODUCTION: Aging often manifests as a "physio-cognitive syndrome" characterized by sarcopenia and cognitive decline. While resistance training is the gold standard, two barriers remain: the "Adherence Barrier" for novices finding exercise monotonous, and the "Physiological Ceiling" for veterans facing plateaus. "Gamified Cognitive-Motor Circuit Training" (GCM-CT) integrates cognitive challenges with hydraulic resistance and step aerobics to address both. Whether this intervention can simultaneously reverse decline in novices and elicit gains in veterans remains unknown. Purpose: This pilot study evaluated the effects of 12-week GCM-CT on working memory, body composition, and muscular performance, comparing its "restorative potential" in sarcopenia-risk novices vs. "optimization potential" in long-term exercisers. METHODS: Twenty-five older women were stratified: (1) Long-term Exercisers (LEG, n=8) (>3yrs history, 68.3±3.4yrs); (2) Sarcopenia-Risk Novices (NEG, n=9) (Sedentary, 69.5±4.2yrs); (3) Controls (CG, n=8) (70.1±3.8yrs). LEG and NEG performed 12-week GCM-CT (3x/week, 60-70min). Protocol combined hydraulic resistance, step aerobics, and a gamified "Fun Module" (RPE 12-15). CG maintained lifestyle. Assessments: N-back (Accuracy [AR], Reaction Time [RT]), Body Composition (Muscle Mass [MM], Body Fat [BFP]), Isokinetic Strength (60°/s, 180°/s), and Hemodynamics. RESULTS: Significant group-by-time interactions occurred: 1. Executive Function: NEG improved most in high-load 2-back AR (+12.5 ± 6.1%, p < 0.01), narrowing the gap with LEG. LEG achieved significant reductions in Total RT (-45 ± 25 ms, p < 0.05), indicating dual-task complexity challenged processing speed. 2. Body Composition: NEG showed a "reversal phenotype": significant MM gain (+0.7 ± 0.4 kg, p < 0.01) and BFP reduction (-1.5 ± 0.8 kg, p < 0.01). CG declined (MM: -0.3 kg). LEG maintained baseline. 3. Performance: NEG improved torque at 60°/s and 180°/s (p < 0.01). Crucially, LEG broke plateaus in 180°/s Power (+8.4 Nm, p < 0.05). NEG reduced SBP (-6.5 mmHg, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: GCM-CT exhibits a dual-mechanism. For NEG, hypertrophy and cognitive gains support "cognitive-motor coupling," where gamification boosts adherence to reverse frailty. For LEG, RT and power gains reveal the value of "novelty stimulus." High cognitive load forces central resource allocation, potentially enhancing neural drive and rate of force development (RFD) to overcome plateaus. CONCLUSION: The 12-week GCM-CT offers "dual-track benefits." For novices (NEG), it acts as a "Rescue Strategy," reversing physio-cognitive decline. For veterans (LEG), it acts as an "Optimization Strategy," breaking physiological plateaus to refine processing speed and power. Gamification bridges clinical efficacy with implementation. Funding: Supported by NSTC (112-2410-H-320-001-MY2) and Golden Smart Technology Corp. (1132B083), Taiwan.
Read CV HUEI-JHEN WENECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH09