Aerobic Exercise In Older Adults Research Articles

Sex impacts the flow-mediated dilation response to acute aerobic exercise in older adults

There is growing evidence of sex differences in the chronic effect of aerobic exercise on endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation; FMD) in older adults, but whether there are sex differences also in the acute effect of aerobic exercise on FMD in older adults is unknown. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that sex modulates the FMD response to acute aerobic exercise in older adults. Thirteen older men and fifteen postmenopausal women (67±1 vs. 65±2years, means±SE, P=0.6), non-smokers, free of major clinical disease, participated in this randomized crossover study. Brachial artery FMD was measured: 1) prior to exercise; 2) 20min after a single bout of high-intensity interval training (HIIT; 40min; 4×4 intervals 90% peak heart rate (HRpeak)), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT; 47min 70% HRpeak) and low-intensity continuous training (LICT; 47min 50% HRpeak) on treadmill; and 3) following 60-min recovery from exercise. In older men, FMD was attenuated by 45% following HIIT (5.95±0.85 vs. 3.27±0.52%, P=0.003) and by 37% following MICT (5.97±0.87 vs. 3.73±0.47%, P=0.03; P=0.9 for FMD response to HIIT vs. MICT) and was normalized following 60-min recovery (P=0.99). In postmenopausal women, FMD did not significantly change in response to HIIT (4.93±0.55 vs. 6.31±0.57%, P=0.14) and MICT (5.32±0.62 vs. 5.60±0.68%, P=0.99). In response to LICT, FMD did not change in postmenopausal women nor older men (5.21±0.64 vs. 6.02±0.73%, P=0.7 and 5.70±0.80 vs. 5.55±0.67%, P=0.99). In conclusion, sex and exercise intensity influence the FMD response to acute aerobic exercise in older adults.

Changes in Cortical Activation Patterns in Language Areas Following Aerobic Exercise in Older Adults

Changes in Cortical Activation Patterns in Language Areas Following Aerobic Exercise in Older Adults

Vascular hippocampal plasticity after aerobic exercise in older adults.

Aerobic exercise in young adults can induce vascular plasticity in the hippocampus, a critical region for recall and recognition memory. In a mechanistic proof-of-concept intervention over 3 months, we investigated whether healthy older adults (60-77 years) also show such plasticity. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and volume (rCBV) were measured with gadolinium-based perfusion imaging (3 Tesla magnetic resonance image (MRI)). Hippocampal volumes were assessed by high-resolution 7 Tesla MRI. Fitness improvement correlated with changes in hippocampal perfusion and hippocampal head volume. Perfusion tended to increase in younger, but to decrease in older individuals. The changes in fitness, hippocampal perfusion and volume were positively related to changes in recognition memory and early recall for complex spatial objects. Path analyses indicated that fitness-related changes in complex object recognition were modulated by hippocampal perfusion. These findings indicate a preserved capacity of the aging human hippocampus for functionally relevant vascular plasticity, which decreases with progressing age.

Preliminary findings from a 6-month randomized controlled trial of combined dual-task gait training and aerobic exercise in older adults with cognitive impairment but no dementia

Preliminary findings from a 6-month randomized controlled trial of combined dual-task gait training and aerobic exercise in older adults with cognitive impairment but no dementia

Feasibility and perception of the impact from aerobic exercise in older adults with Alzheimer's disease.

The subjective experience of participating in aerobic exercise is unknown in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of this study was to understand the subjective perceptions of the feasibility and impact of a 6-month, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise intervention by older adults with AD and their family caregivers. Ten older adults with AD who completed the intervention and their family caregivers participated in four focus group interviews. Four converging themes were identified: "There was no perceived positive change in cognitive symptoms," "The 6-month exercise program was socially rewarding," "The 6-month exercise program increased physical strength," and "Participation in aerobic exercise was a positive experience." Family caregivers further identified two additional themes: "The exercise program led to improved attitude in older adults with AD" and "The exercise program reduced caregiver stress." Aerobic exercise is a feasible and well-perceived intervention for older adults with AD and their family caregivers.

Affecting Cognition and Quality of Life via Aerobic Exercise in Alzheimer’s Disease

Aerobic exercise is a promising behavioral therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet few studies have investigated the effect of aerobic exercise on cognition in AD. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effect of 6-month aerobic exercise on the change in executive function, global cognition, quality of life (QOL), and depression in community-dwelling older adults with mild to moderate AD. A single group, repeated measures design with outcomes measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months was used. Results show that there were no significant changes in any measures except for depression (p = .026). There was a trend toward improvement in executive function and QOL with moderate effect sizes (ESs) and a trend toward deterioration in global cognition with moderate to large ESs. Randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of aerobic exercise in older adults with AD.

Facilitating Aerobic Exercise Training in Older Adults with Alzheimer's Disease

Emerging science suggests that aerobic exercise might modify the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and improve cognition. However, there are no clinical practice guidelines for aerobic exercise prescription and training in older adults with AD. A few existing studies showed that older adults with AD can participate in aerobic exercise and improve dementia symptoms, but lack adequate descriptions of their aerobic exercise training programs and their clinical applicability. In this paper, we summarize current knowledge about the potential benefits of aerobic exercise in older adults with AD. We then describe the development of a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program for this population and report results from its initial testing in a feasibility trial completed by two persons with AD. Two older adults with AD completed the aerobic exercise program. Barriers to the program's implementation are described, and methods to improve more wide-spread adoption of such programs and the design of future studies that test them are suggested.

Exercise, Fitness, and Neurocognitive Function in Older Adults: The “Selective Improvement” and “Cardiovascular Fitness” Hypotheses

Although basic research has uncovered biological mechanisms by which exercise could maintain and enhance adult brain health, experimental human studies with older adults have produced equivocal results. This randomized clinical trial aimed to investigate the hypotheses that (a) the effects of exercise training on the performance of neurocognitive tasks in older adults is selective, influencing mainly tasks with a substantial executive control component and (b) performance in neurocognitive tasks is related to cardiorespiratory fitness. Fifty-seven older adults (65-79 years) participated in aerobic or strength-and-flexibility exercise training for 10 months. Neurocognitive tasks were selected to reflect a range from little (e.g., simple reaction time) to substantial (i.e., Stroop Word-Color conflict) executive control. Performance in tasks requiring little executive control was unaffected by participating in aerobic exercise. Improvements in Stroop Word-Color task performance were found only for the aerobic exercise group. Changes in aerobic fitness were unrelated to changes in neurocognitive function. Aerobic exercise in older adults can have a beneficial effect on the performance of speeded tasks that rely heavily on executive control. Improvements in aerobic fitness do not appear to be a prerequisite for this beneficial effect.

Aerobic Exercise in Older Adults: Effects on VO2max and Functional Performance

Aerobic Exercise in Older Adults: Effects on VO2max and Functional Performance

A prediction model of aerobic exercise in older adults living in a continuing-care retirement community.

The purpose of this study was to test a model of exercise behavior in older adults. It was hypothesized that gender, marital status, chronic illness, mental and physical health, self-efficacy and outcome expectations, fear of falling, and past exercise behavior were directly and/or indirectly associated with current exercise behavior. In this descriptive study, interviews were conducted with 201 older adults living in a continuing-care retirement community. Twelve paths were significant, and the model accounted for 40% of the variance in exercise behavior. Self-efficacy expectations, outcome expectations, and prior exercise were directly associated with current exercise; health status, gender, and marital status were indirectly associated with current exercise behavior through self-efficacy and outcome expectations. Recognizing and treating mental and physical health problems may directly influence self-efficacy and outcome expectations related to exercise. Moreover, interventions that strengthen self-efficacy and outcome expectations related to exercise may improve exercise behavior.

High versus Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercise in Older Adults: Psychological and Physiological Effects

This study examined the psychological and physiological effects of a 26-week aerobic exercise program on a sample of sedentary older men (n = 26) and women (n = 23). Subjects were randomly assigned to either a high intensity exercise group (80−85% of maximal heart rate reserve), a moderate intensity exercise group (65−70% of maximal heart rate reserve), or a no-exercise control group. Results indicated that subjects in the high intensity exercise group exhibited significant increases in aerobic capacity compared to the moderate intensity group. Both exercising groups improved aerobic capacity and had significant decreases in body weight compared to the control group. Exercising subjects also reported significantly fewer symptoms of depression at the end of the program, but not fewer than the control group. Overall, increases in VO2max were associated with decreases in depression.