1
|
Cabral DF, Fried PJ, Bigliassi M, Cahalin LP, Gomes-Osman J. Determinants of exercise adherence in sedentary middle-aged and older adults. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14591. [PMID: 38629783 PMCID: PMC11330369 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Regular exercise positively impacts neurocognitive health, particularly in aging individuals. However, low adherence, particularly among older adults, hinders the adoption of exercise routines. While brain plasticity mechanisms largely support the cognitive benefits of exercise, the link between physiological and behavioral factors influencing exercise adherence remains unclear. This study aimed to explore this association in sedentary middle-aged and older adults. Thirty-one participants underwent an evaluation of cortico-motor plasticity using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to measure changes in motor-evoked potentials following intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS). Health history, cardiorespiratory fitness, and exercise-related behavioral factors were also assessed. The participants engaged in a 2-month supervised aerobic exercise program, attending sessions three times a week for 60 min each, totaling 24 sessions at a moderate-to-vigorous intensity. They were divided into Completers (n = 19), who attended all sessions, and Dropouts (n = 12), who withdrew early. Completers exhibited lower smoking rates, exercise barriers, and resting heart rates compared to Dropouts. For Completers, TMS/iTBS cortico-motor plasticity was associated with better exercise adherence (r = -.53, corrected p = .019). Exploratory hypothesis-generating regression analysis suggested that post-iTBS changes (β = -7.78, p = .013) and self-efficacy (β = -.51, p = .019) may predict exercise adherence (adjusted-R2 = .44). In conclusion, this study highlights the significance of TMS/iTBS cortico-motor plasticity, self-efficacy, and cardiovascular health in exercise adherence. Given the well-established cognitive benefits of exercise, addressing sedentary behavior and enhancing self-efficacy are crucial for promoting adherence and optimizing brain health. Clinicians and researchers should prioritize assessing these variables to improve the effectiveness of exercise programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danylo F. Cabral
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter J. Fried
- Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcelo Bigliassi
- Department of Teaching and Learning, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Lawrence P. Cahalin
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Joyce Gomes-Osman
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Herold F, Theobald P, Gronwald T, Kaushal N, Zou L, de Bruin ED, Bherer L, Müller NG. Alexa, let's train now! - A systematic review and classification approach to digital and home-based physical training interventions aiming to support healthy cognitive aging. JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE 2024; 13:30-46. [PMID: 36736727 PMCID: PMC10818117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is mounting evidence that regular physical activity is an important prerequisite for healthy cognitive aging. Consequently, the finding that almost one-third of the adult population does not reach the recommended level of regular physical activity calls for further public health actions. In this context, digital and home-based physical training interventions might be a promising alternative to center-based intervention programs. Thus, this systematic review aimed to summarize the current state of the literature on the effects of digital and home-based physical training interventions on adult cognitive performance. METHODS In this pre-registered systematic review (PROSPERO; ID: CRD42022320031), 5 electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Library) were searched by 2 independent researchers (FH and PT) to identify eligible studies investigating the effects of digital and home-based physical training interventions on cognitive performance in adults. The systematic literature search yielded 8258 records (extra 17 records from other sources), of which 27 controlled trials were considered relevant. Two reviewers (FH and PT) independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using a modified version of the Tool for the assEssment of Study qualiTy and reporting in EXercise (TESTEX scale). RESULTS Of the 27 reviewed studies, 15 reported positive effects on cognitive and motor-cognitive outcomes (i.e., performance improvements in measures of executive functions, working memory, and choice stepping reaction test), and a considerable heterogeneity concerning study-related, population-related, and intervention-related characteristics was noticed. A more detailed analysis suggests that, in particular, interventions using online classes and technology-based exercise devices (i.e., step-based exergames) can improve cognitive performance in healthy older adults. Approximately one-half of the reviewed studies were rated as having a high risk of bias with respect to completion adherence (≤85%) and monitoring of the level of regular physical activity in the control group. CONCLUSION The current state of evidence concerning the effectiveness of digital and home-based physical training interventions is mixed overall, though there is limited evidence that specific types of digital and home-based physical training interventions (e.g., online classes and step-based exergames) can be an effective strategy for improving cognitive performance in older adults. However, due to the limited number of available studies, future high-quality studies are needed to buttress this assumption empirically and to allow for more solid and nuanced conclusions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Herold
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14476, Germany; Body-Brain-Mind Laboratory, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Paula Theobald
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Thomas Gronwald
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg 20457, Germany
| | - Navin Kaushal
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Health & Human Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Liye Zou
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14476, Germany; Body-Brain-Mind Laboratory, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Eling D de Bruin
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Department of Health, OST - Eastern Swiss University of Applied Sciences, St. Gallen 9001, Switzerland
| | - Louis Bherer
- Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada; Department of Medicine, Universite de Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Geriatrie de Montreal, Montreal, QC H3W 1W5, Canada
| | - Notger G Müller
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14476, Germany; Body-Brain-Mind Laboratory, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hinchman CA, Cabral DF, Ciesla M, Flothmann M, Nunez C, Rice J, Loewenstein DA, Kitaigorodsky M, Cahalin LP, Rundek T, Pascual-Leone A, Cattaneo G, Gomes-Osman J. Exercise engagement drives changes in cognition and cardiorespiratory fitness after 8 weeks of aerobic training in sedentary aging adults at risk of cognitive decline. FRONTIERS IN REHABILITATION SCIENCES 2022; 3:923141. [PMID: 36189006 PMCID: PMC9397848 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.923141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background With our aging population, many individuals are at risk of developing age-related cognitive decline. Physical exercise has been demonstrated to enhance cognitive performance in aging adults. This study examined the effects of 8 weeks of aerobic exercise on cognitive performance and cardiorespiratory fitness in sedentary aging adults at risk for cognitive decline. Methods Fifty-two participants (age 62.9 ± 6.8, 76.9% female) engaged in eight weeks of moderate-to high-intensity exercise (19 in-person, 33 remotely). Global cognition was measured by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System, and the Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) Fourth Edition. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured via heart rate recovery at minute 1 (HRR1) and 2 (HRR2), and exercise engagement (defined as percent of total exercise time spent in the prescribed heart rate zone). We measured pre and post changes using paired t-tests and mixed effects models, and investigated the association between cardiorespiratory and cognitive performance using multiple regression models. Cohen's d were calculated to estimate effect sizes. Results Overall, 63.4 % of participants demonstrated high engagement (≥ 70% total exercise time spent in the prescribed heart rate zone). There were significant pre-post improvements in verbal fluency and verbal memory, and a significant decrement in working memory, but these were associated with small effect sizes (Cohen's d <0.5). Concerning cardiorespiratory fitness, there was a pre-to-post significant improvement in HRR1 (p = 0.01, d = 0.30) and HRR2 (p < 0.001, d = 0.50). Multiple regressions revealed significant associations between cardiorespiratory and cognitive performance, but all were associated with small effect sizes (Cohen's d < 0.5). Interestingly, there were significant between-group differences in exercise engagement (all p < 0.001), with remote participants demonstrating greater exercise engagement than in-person participants. Conclusion Improvements in cognition and cardiorespiratory fitness were observed after 8 weeks of moderate to high-intensity exercise in aging adults. These results suggest that committing to a regular exercise regimen, even for a brief two-month period, can promote improvements in both cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive performance, and that improvements are driven by exercise engagement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carrie A Hinchman
- School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Danylo F Cabral
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | | | - Marti Flothmann
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.,Evelyn McKnight Brain Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Christina Nunez
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Jordyn Rice
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - David A Loewenstein
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and Aging, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Marcela Kitaigorodsky
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and Aging, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Lawrence P Cahalin
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - Tatjana Rundek
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.,Evelyn McKnight Brain Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Alvaro Pascual-Leone
- Linus Health, Waltham, MA, United States.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Rosindale, MA, United States.,Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health, Hebrew SeniorLife, Rosindale, MA, United States.,Guttmann Brain Health Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriele Cattaneo
- Guttmann Brain Health Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joyce Gomes-Osman
- Linus Health, Waltham, MA, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.,Evelyn McKnight Brain Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| |
Collapse
|