School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4222, Australia.
BMC Geriatr. 2012 Sep 26;12:60. doi: 10.1186/1471-2318-12-60.
Intervention 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/DESIGN: This 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.
If 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.
Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registration Number: ANZCTR12612000451808.
测试心肺运动对改善晚年认知功能的干预研究显示出一定的前景。最近的发展表明，一种多模式的运动干预，包括运动以及身体训练，需要持续的注意力和专注力，可能会更好地发挥运动增强认知表现的实际效力。本研究将测试针对老年女性的多模式运动计划对认知和身体功能的影响。
方法/设计：这是一项随机对照试验，涉及没有认知障碍、年龄在 65-75 岁之间的社区居住女性。参与者被随机分配到运动干预组或非运动对照组，进行 16 周的干预。干预包括每周两次、每次 60 分钟的运动课程，包括有氧运动、力量、平衡、灵活性、协调和敏捷性训练。主要结果是认知功能的测量，次要结果包括身体功能和神经认知生物标志物（脑源性神经营养因子）。在基线和 16 周后进行测量，并从干预组的一个亚样本中收集与该计划的经验和可接受性相关的定性数据。
如果这项随机对照试验表明多模式运动（包括运动健身训练）可以改善晚年的认知表现，那么将带来双重好处。首先，开发出一种廉价且有效的策略，可以减轻预计随着人口老龄化而增加的与年龄相关的认知障碍的流行率。其次，将提供关于运动与认知改善之间联系的更有力证据，使未来的研究能够更好地集中，并可能更有成效。
澳大利亚和新西兰临床试验注册编号：ANZCTR12612000451808。
