Author(s): TSAI, D.1, WEN, H.1, CHUANG, C.2, LIU, F.2, Institution: TZU CHI UNIVERSITY, Country: TAIWAN, Abstract-ID: 2314

INTRODUCTION:
Sarcopenia and cognitive decline often happen together, accelerating frailty in older adults. While resistance training is the gold standard for prevention, it is often hard for sedentary individuals to maintain a routine. Adding gamified elements to circuit training (the "Fun Module") offers a promising way to increase engagement while delivering necessary Dual-task stimuli. However, it is not yet clear if this approach can effectively reverse physiological and cognitive decline in unconditioned older women at high risk. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a 12-week Gamified Cognitive-Motor Circuit Training on working memory, body composition, and isokinetic strength in older women at high risk of Sarcopenia.
METHODS:
We recruited 23 sedentary older women from the community who were identified as high-risk for Sarcopenia (due to low muscle mass or strength). Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the Intervention Group (EG, n=10; Age: 67.2 ± 2.93 yrs) and the Control Group (CG, n=13; Age: 70.1 ± 4.1 yrs). The EG performed the "Fun Module" program, which integrates hydraulic resistance circuit training with interactive cognitive games (3 sessions/week, 65-70 min/session) at moderate-to-vigorous intensity. The CG maintained their usual lifestyle. We measured the following at baseline and week 12: N-back task (0, 1, 2-back) for working memory, body composition (Muscle Mass [MM], Body Fat Percentage [BFP]), isokinetic knee extension strength (60°/s and 180°/s).
RESULTS:
The EG group attended more than 90% of the "Fun Module" sessions. (1) Executive Function: The EG showed greater improvements in Total N-back Accuracy and Reaction Time compared to the CG (p < 0.05). Notably, in the high-load 2-back task, EG accuracy improved significantly (+12.5%), while the CG showed a decline. This highlights the neuroprotective effect of the dual-task training. (2) Body Composition: The EG showed positive changes in body composition, with increased MM (+0.7 kg) and decreased BFP (-1.8%), while the CG lost muscle (p < 0.05). (3) Muscular Performance: We found significant group-by-time interactions (p < 0.01) for peak torque at both 60°/s and 180°/s. The EG achieved substantial gains in maximal strength and explosive power, effectively reversing the functional decline seen in the control group.
CONCLUSION:
The 12-week Gamified Cognitive-Motor Circuit Training is a feasible and effective strategy for sedentary older women at risk of sarcopenia. The "Fun Module" successfully reverses physical and cognitive decline by simultaneously boosting muscle quality and executive function. These findings support using gamification to overcome barriers to exercise and promote holistic health in older adults. (Supported by NSTC 112-2410-H-320-001-MY2 and Golden Smart Technology Corp. 1132B083, Taiwan.)