Abstract
BackgroundDeclines in cognitive functioning are a normal part of aging that can affect daily functioning and quality of life. This study will examine the impact of an exercise training program, and a combined exercise and cognitive training program, on the cognitive and physical functioning of older adults.Methods/DesignFit Bodies, Fine Minds is a randomized, controlled trial. Community-dwelling adults, aged between 65 and 75 years, are randomly allocated to one of three groups for 16 weeks. The exercise-only group do three 60-minute exercise sessions per week. The exercise and cognitive training group do two 60-minute exercise sessions and one 60-minute cognitive training session per week. A no-training control group is contacted every 4 weeks. Measures of cognitive functioning, physical fitness and psychological well-being are taken at baseline (0 weeks), post-test (16 weeks) and 6-month follop (40 weeks). Qualitative responses to the program are taken at post-test.DiscussionWith an increasingly aged population, interventions to improve the functioning and quality of life of older adults are particularly important. Exercise training, either alone or in combination with cognitive training, may be an effective means of optimizing cognitive functioning in older adults. This study will add to the growing evidence base on the effectiveness of these interventions.Trial RegistrationAustralian Clinical Trials Register: ACTRN012607000151437
Highlights
MemoryExecutive FunctionInformation Processing Revision Session13 14 15 16 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2318/7/23 ContentAging, Cognitive Functioning, Program Overview
An exercise training program and a cognitive training program have been developed by the first author (SO), and will be evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. The content of these programs is based on previously successful training programs, and current theories regarding the relationships between exercise training, cognitive training, and cognitive functioning
At each exercise training session, participants are provided with individual diaries in which to record the date and the intensity and duration of each activity undertaken in that session
Summary
"Nothing could be of greater importance to the imperatives imposed by global aging" than research into the benefits of exercise for cognition, according to Bortz [74]. This randomized controlled trial is designed to examine the effects of exercise training and combined exercise and cognitive training on the cognitive and physical functioning of community-dwelling older adults. If the training programs detailed in this protocol provide cognitive and physical benefits and are acceptable to older adults, they may represent a viable approach to improving cognitive functioning and quality of life in older adults. GP: general practitioner; TICS: Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status; HRR: Heart rate reserve; ACSM: American College of Sports Medicine; RPE: Rate of Perceived Exertion; CLVT: California Verbal Learning Test; COAST: California Older Adults Stroop Test; D-KEFS: Delis-Kaplan Executive Function Scale; WMS: Wechsler Memory Scale; WAIS: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale; SDMT: Symbol Digit Modalities Test; TIADL: Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living; cm: centimeters; kg: kilograms; mm Hg: millimeters of mercury; bpm: beats per minute; SMWT: Six Minute Walk Test; kp: kiloponds; MAC-Q: Memory Complaint Questionnaire; SF-36: Medical Outcomes Study Short Form; GADS: Geriatric Anxiety and Depression Scale; HRHS: Health-related Hardiness Scale
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