Abstract
BackgroundIntervention studies testing the efficacy of cardiorespiratory exercise have shown some promise in terms of improving cognitive function in later life. Recent developments suggest that a multi-modal exercise intervention that includes motor as well as physical training and requires sustained attention and concentration, may better elicit the actual potency of exercise to enhance cognitive performance. This study will test the effect of a multi-modal exercise program, for older women, on cognitive and physical functioning.Methods/designThis randomised controlled trial involves community dwelling women, without cognitive impairment, aged 65–75 years. Participants are randomised to exercise intervention or non-exercise control groups, for 16 weeks. The intervention consists of twice weekly, 60 minute, exercise classes incorporating aerobic, strength, balance, flexibility, co-ordination and agility training. Primary outcomes are measures of cognitive function and secondary outcomes include physical functioning and a neurocognitive biomarker (brain derived neurotrophic factor). Measures are taken at baseline and 16 weeks later and qualitative data related to the experience and acceptability of the program are collected from a sub-sample of the intervention group.DiscussionIf this randomised controlled trial demonstrates that multimodal exercise (that includes motor fitness training) can improve cognitive performance in later life, the benefits will be two-fold. First, an inexpensive, effective strategy will have been developed that could ameliorate the increased prevalence of age-related cognitive impairment predicted to accompany population ageing. Second, more robust evidence will have been provided about the mechanisms that link exercise to cognitive improvement allowing future research to be better focused and potentially more productive.Trial registrationAustralian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registration Number: ANZCTR12612000451808
Highlights
Intervention studies testing the efficacy of cardiorespiratory exercise have shown some promise in terms of improving cognitive function in later life
More robust evidence will have been provided about the mechanisms that link exercise to cognitive improvement allowing future research to be better focused and potentially more productive
An adequately powered randomised controlled trial would fulfil a methodological recommendation that has consistently been made in systematic reviews of the extant literature
Summary
A future study, involving multi-modal exercise training and conducted in the form of a randomised controlled trial would be expected to extend previous work in a number of significant ways. While a properly designed randomised controlled trial is the gold standard for assessing the efficacy of an intervention in terms of statistical significance [56], the real-life relevance of outcomes may be better reflected in terms of the clinical significance of the study results. To this end, this study will triangulate psychometric data with qualitative data, to better reflect the impact of the intervention on the everyday experience of older women. Together the particular combination of design characteristics proposed for this study is expected to make a unique contribution to the current body of knowledge by furthering our understanding of the relationships between multi-modal exercise, age, cognitive function and BDNF in older women. Author details 1School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia. 2School of Applied Psychology and Behavioural Basis of Health Program, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia. 3Griffith Health Institute, Research Centre for Clinical and Community Practice Innovation, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
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