Effects of 5 Years Aerobic Exercise on Cognition in Older Adults: The Generation 100 Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Ekaterina Zotcheva, Asta Kristine Håberg, Ulrik Wisløff, Øyvind Salvesen, Geir Selbæk, Dorthe Stensvold, Linda Ernstsen

Journal: Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) 2022;52(7):1689-1699

PMID: 34878637

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate whether a 5-year exercise intervention and change in peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) is associated with cognitive function in older adults.

METHODS

Nine hundred and forty-five participants (48% women, mean age at study end 78.2 ± 2.02 years) from the Generation 100 Study were randomized 2:1:1 to a control group, moderate-intensity continuous training or high-intensity interval training twice weekly for 5 years. Peak oxygen uptake was measured using ergospirometry at baseline and after 5 years. Global cognition and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA) after 5 years.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, the combined moderate-intensity continuous training plus high-intensity interval training (ExComb) group did not have significantly different cognitive scores (beta value 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.17, 0.69) or odds of MCI (odds ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.66, 1.13). Men in the ExComb group had 0.80 points higher MoCA (95% CI 0.21, 1.40) and 32% lower odds of MCI compared with male controls (95% CI 0.47, 0.99), with no such findings in women. In the total sample, each 1 metabolic equivalent of task increase in [Formula: see text] corresponded to 0.46 points higher MoCA (95% CI 0.25, 0.67) and 27% lower odds of MCI (95% CI 0.63, 0.85). Compared to [Formula: see text] stable, participants whose [Formula: see text] increased did not have significantly different cognitive scores (beta value 0.24, CI - 0.68, 1.15) or odds of MCI (odds ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.36, 1.34), whereas participants whose [Formula: see text] decreased had 0.64 points lower MoCA (95% CI - 1.15, - 0.14) and 35% higher odds of MCI (95% CI 0.98, 1.87).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, exercise was not significantly associated with cognition among older adults. However, maintaining or increasing [Formula: see text] appeared to benefit cognition.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01666340.

Address: Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Post Box 8905, 7491, Trondheim, Norway.; Norwegian National Advisory Unit for Functional MRI, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.; Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.; Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.; School of Human Movement and Nutrition Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.; Norwegian National Advisory Unit On Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway.; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.; Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.; Department of Cardiology, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.; Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Post Box 8905, 7491, Trondheim, Norway. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01608-5

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https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01608-5

MeSH Terms: Aged, Cognition, Exercise, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Status and Dementia Tests, Oxygen, Treatment Outcome