Author(s): WEN, H.1, TSAI, D.1, CHEN, Y.1, WANG, H.1, LIU, F.2, Institution: TZU-CHI UNIVERSITY, Country: TAIWAN, Abstract-ID: 2344

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.