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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Jul;52(7):1689-1699.
doi: 10.1007/s40279-021-01608-5. Epub 2021 Dec 8.

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

Ekaterina Zotcheva  1 , Asta Kristine Håberg  2   3 , Ulrik Wisløff  4   5 , Øyvind Salvesen  1 , Geir Selbæk  6   7   8 , Dorthe Stensvold  4   9 , Linda Ernstsen  10
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

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

Ekaterina Zotcheva et al. Sports Med. 2022 Jul.

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart. HIIT high-intensity interval training, MICT moderate-intensity continuous training, MoCA Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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