Cognitive gains and cortical thickness changes after 12 weeks of resistance training in older adults with low and high risk of mild cognitive impairment: Findings from a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a 12-week resistance training program could improve cognitive performance and slow neuronal loss in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Results Summary
The study found that resistance training improved response time on the Go/No-go task and increased cortical thickness in the right parahippocampal gyrus, particularly in individuals at high MCI risk. These changes were associated with cognitive improvements, suggesting neuroprotective effects.
Population
Older adults aged 60-85 years, including 38 females and 32 males, stratified by MCI risk (high or low based on MoCA scores).
Effective Dosage
Not specified (12-week lower limb resistance training program).
Duration
12 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12-week resistance training (RT) program | increase | cognitive performance | older adults at high MCI risk | - | may effectively improve | #1 |
12-week resistance training (RT) program | decrease | neuronal loss in the hippocampal complex | older adults at high MCI risk | - | slow | #2 |
12-week lower limb RT program | increase | cortical thickness of the right parahippocampal gyrus | individuals with high MCI risk allocated to the exercise group | +1.18 % | increase | #3 |
12-week lower limb RT program | decrease | response time on the Go/No-go task | individuals with high MCI risk allocated to the exercise group | -4.35 % | decrease | #4 |
- | decrease | response time on the Go/No-go task | - | - | Decreased | #5 |
- | increase | cortical thickness in the right entorhinal gyrus | - | - | associated with increased | #6 |
BACKGROUND: In this randomized controlled trial, we assessed the neuroprotective effect of a 12-week resistance training (RT) program on executive control and cortical thickness of the prefrontal, temporal, parietal, and central cortex, regions prone to structural decline in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: Seventy older adults (aged 60-85 y old, 38 females and 32 males) were randomly allocated to a 12-week lower limb RT program or a waiting list control group. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to stratify participants screened for high (< 26) or low (≥ 26) MCI risk. Cognitive measurements consisted of the two-choice reaction time, Go/No-go, mathematical processing, and memory search tests. Cortical thickness was estimated from 3D T1-weighted MR images. RESULTS: Complete randomized controlled trial data was obtained from 50 individuals (24 with high MCI risk). Significant Group x Time interactions were found for response on the Go/No-go task and cortical thickness of the right parahippocampal gyrus [F ≥ 5.3, p ≤ 0.03; η2p ≥ 0.12]. An inspection of these observations revealed an increase in cortical thickness (+1.18 %) and a decrease in response time (-4.35 %) in individuals with high MCI risk allocated to the exercise group (both uncorrected p = 0.08). Decreased response time on the Go/No-go task was associated with increased cortical thickness in the right entorhinal gyrus (uncorrected p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that 12 weeks of RT intervention may effectively improve cognitive performance and slow neuronal loss in the hippocampal complex of older adults at high MCI risk. Findings support evidence for the neuroprotective effects of resistance training and its potential role in cognitive health.