Aerobic exercise training Increases brain perfusion in elderly women

Abstract

Brain perfusion is essential to maintain normal neuronal function. It is not clear whether exercise improves brain perfusion in older adults. We tested the hypothesis that moderate intensity exercise for 3 months (brisk walking) increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) in sedentary women over 60 years old. Eight women with a mean age of 70 (range 62–79) years participated in this study. An individualized training program was prescribed to fit each subject's fitness level based on VO2max testing. Training started with base pace heart rate for 30 min, 3 times a week and completed at the third month with training at base pace heart rate for 50 min and 4 times a week plus two sessions of training at the “maximal steady-state” heart rate for 30 min (at the ventilatory threshold). CBF was measured from both the left and right internal carotid arteries (ICA) using 2D and color Doppler ultrasonography. Pre- and post-training comparisons were made with paired t-test. After training, VO2max was increased by 13% (19.3 ± 4.1 vs. 17.1 ± 2.7 ml/kg/min, p=0.04). CBF increased by 24% (318 ± 88 vs. 251 ± 32 ml/min, p=0.07) in the left ICA and by 14% in the right ICA (332 ± 94 vs. 291 ± 81 ml/min, p=0.01). Mean blood pressure was reduced by 4% (86 ± 9 vs. 83 ± 10 mmHg, p= 0.05) associated with a slight reduction in heart rate by 5% (62 ± 8 vs. 59 ± 7 bpm, p = 0.06). These findings suggest that aerobic training improves brain perfusion in elderly women.