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Moderate Exercise Improves Cognitive Function in Healthy Elderly People: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Giulia Cossu1
Elisa Pintus1
Rosanna Zaccheddu1
Omar Callia1
Giuliana Conti1
Mirra Pintus1
Cesar Ivan Aviles Gonzalez1
Maria Valeria Massidda
Gioia Mura1
Claudia Sardu1
Paolo Contu1
Luigi Minerba2
Roberto Demontis1
Massimiliano Pau3
Gabriele Finco1
Eleonora Cocco1
Maria Pietronilla Penna4
Germano Orr5
Goce Kalcev6
Federico Cabras1
Stefano Lorrai1
Andrea Loviselli1
Fernanda Velluzzi1
Marco Monticone1
Enrico Cacace1
Mario Musu1
Franco Rongioletti1
Alberto Cauli1
Valeria Ruggiero1
Alessandra Scano1
Antonio Crisafulli1
Sofia Cosentino1
Laura Atzori1
Elena Massa1
Quirico Mela2
Dario Fortin5
Gianmario Migliaccio6
Sergio Machado7 , 8
Ferdinando Romano9
Antonio Preti10
Authors Info & Affiliations
Abstract
Background:
Physical activity in the elderly is recommended by international guidelines to protect against cognitive decline and functional impairment.
Objective:
This Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was set up to verify whether medium-intensity physical activity in elderly people living in the community is effective in improving cognitive performance.
Design:
RCT with parallel and balanced large groups.
Setting:
Academic university hospital and Olympic gyms.
Subjects:
People aged 65 years old and older of both genders living at home holding a medical certificate for suitability in non-competitive physical activity.
Methods:
Participants were randomized to a 12-week, 3 sessions per week moderate physical activity program or to a control condition focused on cultural and recreational activities in groups of the same size and timing as the active intervention group. The active phase integrated a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic exercises, including drills of “life movements”, strength and balance. The primary outcome was: any change in Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R) and its subscales.
Results:
At the end of the trial, 52 people completed the active intervention, and 53 people completed the control condition. People in the active intervention improved on the ACE-R (ANOVA: F(1;102)=4.32, p=0.040), and also showed better performances on the memory (F(1;102)=5.40 p=0.022) and visual-space skills subscales of the ACE-R (F(1;102)=4.09 p=0.046).
Conclusion:
A moderate-intensity exercise administered for a relatively short period of 12 weeks is capable of improving cognitive performance in a sample of elderly people who live independently in their homes.
Clinical Trials Registration No: NCT03858114
