Lopes Emmanuel Dias de Sousa, Coelho Flávia Gomes de Melo, Tribess Sheilla, Catarino Jonatas da Silva, Ferreira Bruno Naves, Reis Marina de Melo, Neto Antônio Ribeiro, Oliveira Carlo José Freire, Virtuoso Júnior Jair Sindra
Center of Research in Physical Activity and Health, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38061-500, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Natural and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-350, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Aug 9;22(8):1245. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22081245.
Physical exercise has been linked to improvements in motor and cognitive functions as well as to the modulation of neurotrophic and inflammatory factors, particularly in older adults. This aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week multimodal exercise program on cognitive function, motor performance, and plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cytokines in elderly individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
A non-randomized controlled trial design was employed, involving 23 participants aged 62 to 85 years diagnosed with mild to moderate AD. The intervention group ( = 7) attended 60-minute sessions three times per week, incorporating aerobic, strength, flexibility, and motor coordination exercises, while the control group ( = 8) maintained usual activities.
A non-randomized controlled trial design was used, involving 23 participants aged 62 to 85 years. Of these, 15 had a clinical diagnosis of mild to moderate AD and were allocated to either an intervention group ( = 7) or and AD control group ( = 8). The remaining eight participants were cognitively healthy and formed a control group matched for age and sex, used exclusively for baseline comparisons. The intervention group participated in 60-minute sessions three times per week, including aerobic, strength, flexibility, and motor coordination exercises. The AD control group ( = 8) maintained their usual daily routines.
Compared to baseline, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in executive and attentional functions, as measured by the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and Clock Drawing Test (CDT); mobility, balance, gait speed, and lower limb strength also improved ( < 0.05). Additionally, plasma BDNF levels increased significantly, and interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels decreased.
In conclusion, the multimodal exercise program resulted in cognitive and motor benefits and positively modulated biomarkers related to neuroplasticity and inflammation, supporting its potential as a complementary intervention in elderly individuals with AD.
体育锻炼与运动和认知功能的改善以及神经营养因子和炎症因子的调节有关，尤其是在老年人中。本研究的目的是调查一项为期12周的多模式运动计划对患有阿尔茨海默病（AD）的老年人的认知功能、运动表现以及脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）和细胞因子血浆水平的影响。
采用非随机对照试验设计，纳入23名年龄在62至85岁之间、被诊断为轻度至中度AD的参与者。干预组（n = 7）每周参加三次60分钟的课程，包括有氧运动、力量训练、柔韧性训练和运动协调练习，而对照组（n = 8）维持日常活动。
采用非随机对照试验设计，涉及23名年龄在62至85岁之间的参与者。其中，15人临床诊断为轻度至中度AD，被分配到干预组（n = 7）或AD对照组（n = 8）。其余8名参与者认知健康，组成一个年龄和性别匹配的对照组，仅用于基线比较。干预组每周参加三次60分钟的课程，包括有氧运动、力量训练、柔韧性训练和运动协调练习。AD对照组（n = 8）维持其日常活动。
与基线相比，干预组在额叶评估量表（FAB）和画钟试验（CDT）测量的执行和注意力功能方面有显著改善；移动性、平衡能力、步速和下肢力量也有所改善（P < 0.05）。此外，血浆BDNF水平显著升高，白细胞介素-2（IL-2）水平降低。
总之，多模式运动计划带来了认知和运动方面的益处，并对与神经可塑性和炎症相关的生物标志物产生了积极调节作用，支持其作为AD老年患者辅助干预措施的潜力。
