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Cherup N, Roberson K, Potiaumpai M, Widdowson K, Jaghab AM, Chowdhari S, Armitage C, Seeley A, Signorile J. Improvements in cognition and associations with measures of aerobic fitness and muscular power following structured exercise. Exp Gerontol 2018; 112:76-87. [PMID: 30223046 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cognition, along with aerobic and muscular fitness, declines with age. Although research has shown that resistance and aerobic exercise may improve cognition, no consensus exists supporting the use of one approach over the other. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of steady-state, moderate-intensity treadmill training (TM) and high-velocity circuit resistance training (HVCRT) on cognition, and to examine its relationships to aerobic fitness and neuromuscular power. METHODS Thirty older adults were randomly assigned to one of three groups: HVCRT, TM, or control. Exercise groups attended training 3 days/wk for 12 weeks, following a 2 week adaptation period. The NIH Cognitive Toolbox was used to assess specific components of cognition and provided an overall fluid composite score (FCS). The walking response and inhibition test (WRIT) was specifically used to assess executive function (EF) and provided an accuracy (ACC), reaction time (RT) and global score (GS). Aerobic power (AP) and maximal neuromuscular power (MP) were measured pre- and post-intervention. Relationships between variables using baseline and mean change scores were assessed. RESULTS Significant increases were seen from baseline in ACC (MD = 14.0, SE = 4.3, p = .01, d = 1.49), GS (MD = 25.6, SE = 8.0, p = .01, d = 1.16), and AP (MD = 1.4, SE = 0.6, p = .046, d = 0.31) for HVCRT. RT showed a trend toward a significant decrease (MD = -0.03, SE = 0.016, p = .068, d = 0.32) for HVCRT. No significant within-group differences were detected for TM or CONT. Significant correlations were seen at baseline between AP and FCS, as well as other cognitive domains; but none were detected among change scores. Although no significant correlation was evident between MP and FCS or GS, there was a trend toward higher MP values being associated with higher FCS and GS scores. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the use of HVCRT over TM for improving cognition in older persons, although the precise mechanisms that underlie this association remain unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Cherup
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research & Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Kirk Roberson
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research & Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Melanie Potiaumpai
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research & Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Kayla Widdowson
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research & Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Ann-Marie Jaghab
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research & Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Sean Chowdhari
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research & Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Catherine Armitage
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research & Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Afton Seeley
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research & Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Joseph Signorile
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research & Active Aging, University of Miami, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, Coral Gables, FL, USA; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Center on Aging, Miami, FL, USA.
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