ECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH24
INTRODUCTION: Ageing is associated with a progressive functional decline of various systems in the human body. Moreover, ageing is a risk factor in the development of several pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases. The systemic decline negatively impacts motor and cognitive abilities which are associated with poor autonomy. Despite methodological heterogeneity, there is a growing scientific interest on motor-cognitive training to contribute on a healthy ageing [1]. Simultaneous combinations of trainings appear to be relevant [2] for motor abilities but the comparison of the effect of different modalities (additional and incorporated trainings [3]) in older adults (OA) has not been studied yet. The COGAPA project aims at testing the effects of two simultaneous motor-cognitive trainings (SMCt) on motor abilities in OA with or without cognitive impairment. METHODS: Two groups of participants (n = 20) were included. People were aged 60 or older and had a score higher than 6 at the short physical performance and battery and a score higher than 22 at the mini mental state examination. OAs were randomized into two SMCt: dual-task (DT) and synergical (SYN). The DT group (n = 10) consisted of physical exercises with an additional cognitive task. The SYN group (n = 10) performed physical exercises with a cognitive task incorporated [3]. All groups practiced exercises for 8 weeks with one session/week. We compared the results of both groups before and after the intervention on the Berg balance scale (balance), the 6-minute walking test (walking capacity), the timed up and go test (functional mobility), and the 30-second chair sit to stand test (muscular strength). RESULTS: All OAs (n = 20) completed the program. Mixed model with a covariate (initial level of physical activity) shows significant improvements on balance (p<0.01) and functional mobility (p<0.05) after both SMCt (DT and SYN) without any significant difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results of the COGAPA project reveal the potential effect of simultaneous motor-cognitive training (DT and SYN) on motor abilities like balance and functional mobility. However, no significant benefits were observed on walking capacity and muscular strength. Moreover, without any significant difference between groups, we cannot highlight a particular modality of SMCt. With a larger sample size and upcoming results of a group with 2 sessions/week of SMCt (DT and SYN) as well as a control group (physical exercises only), we will potentially demonstrate the incidence of adding a cognitive task simultaneously to physical exercises, the benefits of higher training frequency, and the optimal modality of SMCt for OAs with or without cognitive impairment. [1] Gavelin HM et al (2021) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2020.101232 [2] Gallou-Guyot M et al (2020) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucli.2020.10.010 [3] Herold F et al (2018) https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2018.00228
Read CV Julien GodardECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH24
INTRODUCTION: Various types of physical activity positively impact cognitive function (CF) and brain activity [1,2]. It is unclear whether additional forms of physical training - which emphasize technique improvement - also affect cognitive functions and brain activity. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of a track and field athletic training (TFA; short put, long jump & sprint; motor skill training) on behavioral CF and brain activity of elderly, when compared to walking training (WT, cardiovascular training) and to relaxation and stretching training (RS, active control group). METHODS: The 16-week training took place two times a week for one hour each. Participants were screened for physical or mental illness (PAR-Q) and dementia (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA). Pre and post intervention questionnaires, motoric and cognitive test batteries were completed in two separate days. CF were assessed in different domains: Global CF (MoCA), attention (d2-revision Test, Trail Making Test A, TMT), executive function (TMT B, Flanker- & Stroop-task) and working memory (n-back task). Brain activity was measured via Electroencephalography (EEG) during the flanker task. P3 was defined as the average electrical potential 350-550 ms after stimulus onset and was calculated at Fz, Cz, and Pz. Data were analyzed via mixed ANOVA. RESULTS: Sixty-six older adults (age 64 ± 5, female 33, MoCA 27 ± 2) were included in the study. There were 16 dropouts, and 7 individuals were excluded due to poor EEG data quality. A Flanker effect was shown in reaction times (F(1,42) = 172.1, p ≤ .001, ηp2 = .804). There was no interaction effect between the factors time (2) and group (3), but a main effect of group for MoCa: F(2,41) = 4.54, p = .017, ηp2 = .181, TMT-A: F(2, 42) = 3.50, p = .039, ηp2 = .140 and TMT-B: F(2, 39) = 8.15, p ≤ .001, ηp2 = .295 and a main effect for time for d2: F(1, 42) = 26.07, p ≤ .001, ηp2 = .383, TMT-A: F(1, 43) = 4.56, p = .038, ηp2 = .096, and P3 amplitude in the incongruent condition at Pz: F(1, 38) = 4.40, p = .043, ηp2 = .023. CONCLUSION: The analyses so far do not indicate an interaction effect of CF or brain activity after 16 weeks of WT, TFA, or RS. However, we could show a group-independent improvement in concentration, attention and P3 amplitude (especially in the incongruent condition). A larger P3 amplitude indicates enhanced cognitive processing efficiency and increased attentional resources, which indicates an enhancement in CF. The results suggest that besides cardiovascular training also motor skill training, and relaxation and stretching training can lead to an improvement in CF and brain activity in elderly. [1] Falck R S et al. (2019). Impact of exercise training on physical and cognitive function among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurobiology Of Aging, 79: 119–130. [2] Rodríguez-Serrano L M et al. (2024). Changes in EEG Activity and Cognition Related to Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Systematic Review. Life, 14 (4): 440.
Read CV Sina Janine GertenECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH24
INTRODUCTION: Aging can be accompanied by decline in cognitive function and physical fitness. Exercise may prevent cognitive decline and improve physical fitness components (PFC) including body composition, physical functionality and cardiorespiratory fitness. Although research demonstrated the association between some PFC and cognitive functions [1] this relationship remains unclear and more research is needed looking at different PFC and cognitive domains. Exploring the associations between various cognitive domains and physical fitness may facilitate the development of effective exercise programs for preserving cognitive function during aging. Thus, this study aims to explore the association between body composition, physical functionality and cardiorespiratory fitness components with cognitive flexibility, sustained attention, and working memory cognitive domains. METHODS: Seventy-two cognitively healthy participants (32 men and 40 women) with age 66 ± 6 years old participated in the physical and cognitive assessments. Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance (Inbody 770, Biospace), physical fitness using hand grip strength, 30 seconds chair stand test, time up and go test, and peak oxygen consumption capacity (VO2 Peak) with submaximal cycle ergometry (Lode Excalibur, Netherlands). The cognitive assessment was done with the following tests from the CANTAB Connect Research: Multitasking Test (MTT – cognitive flexibility), Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVP – sustained attention), and Spatial Working Memory (SWM). RESULTS: Age-corrected correlations revealed small to medium size correlations: MTT incongruency cost negatively correlated with VO2 Peak (r=-.292, p=.023), and ventilatory threshold (r=-.292, p=.017). RVP median latency negatively correlated with the chair stand test (r=-308, p=.01), VO2 Peak (r=-.277, p=.023), and positively correlated with fat percentage (r=.294, p=.014), fat mass (r=.319, p=.008), fat to muscle ratio (FMR) (r= .346, p =.004). SWM Strategy negatively correlated with hand grip strength (r=-.267, p=.025), and positively correlated with fat percentage (r=.302, p=.012) and FMR (r=.275, p=.023). CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that, in cognitively healthy older persons, different aspects of physical fitness were associated with different features of cognition. Cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with increased processing speed; Lower extremity endurance and cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with better sustained attention, and muscle strength was associated with working memory accuracy and confidence. Finally, fat tissue was negatively associated with sustained attention and working memory abilities. These findings support an association between physical fitness and cognition, supporting the role of physical activity in the prevention of age associated cognitive decline. References: 1. Zhao X,Huang H, and Du C. Association of physical fitness with cognitive function in the community-dwelling older adults. BMC Geriatr, 22(1): 868,2022.
Read CV KAAN AKALPECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH24