Resistance Training and Neuroimaging

Summary

Aging tends to compromise the ability to solve problems, remember details, and process information. At the extreme level, this normal cognitive decline can interfere with independent living. Because most brain dysfunctions become irreversible before patients show clear signs in the clinic, there is a pressing need to prioritize preventative countermeasures. Exercise is a promising strategy to slow or reverse these losses. While most studies have looked at running or cycling exercise, little is known about the effects of weight lifting exercise. In addition, vascular health is intimately linked with cognitive abilities and risk of stroke, making it a primary target for intervention. Previous weight lifting studies suggest that blood vessels in the brain are a likely site of adaptation.

The goal of this research is to understand how weight lifting exercise improves cognitive function in older adults. Specifically, the contribution of blood vessel changes in the brain after 12 weeks of weight lifting exercise 3 days per week. These vascular improvements may provide the link between physical and cognitive health, while simultaneously reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. To determine this, advanced brain imaging techniques will be used to measure blood flow/volume changes in the brain non-invasively. Physical capacity (i.e. strength), body composition (i.e. lean mass, fat mass), and blood markers will also be assessed using standard protocols, and each of these variables will be tested for their relationship with cognitive functions.

Understanding how weight lifting exercise improves cognitive function will support the development of comprehensive treatments targeting overall brain health. With no current cures for dementia, this information will be vital in prescribing exercise for specific patient needs to reducing the risk of dementia and stroke. In addition, the promise of exercise therapies extends beyond the target disease, having further benefits to the well-being of participants. These types of treatments positively impact fundamental aging processes, and thus reduce the risk of all-cause mortality. Even with moderate benefits to a specific disease like dementia, the global impact on healthcare would be substantial.

Conditions

• Cognitive Decline
• Cerebrovascular Function

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Periodized Resistance Training

Mesocycle I (weeks 1-4) will emphasize muscular hypertrophy to develop a muscular and metabolic base for more intense training in later phases. Training bouts will consist of 4-6 resistance exercises with 2-4 sets per exercise and 8-10 repetitions per set. Mesocycles II (weeks 5-8) and III (weeks 9-12) will emphasize strength development. Training bouts will consist of 4-6 resistance exercises with 3-5 sets per exercise, 4-6 repetitions per set, and linear increases in intensity over time. These parameters were chosen to maximize performance on 4-6 repetition maximum (RM) testing post-intervention, according to the principle of specificity - i.e. specific adaptation to imposed demands.The training loads used will be individually progressed in a safe and effective manner, in order to employ a progressive overload/challenge to the neuromuscular system and elicit the greatest training-induced neuromuscular adaptations possible.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Todd Schroeder

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-07-17

Primary Completion

2020-05-16

Completion

2020-05-16

Countries

• United States

Study Locations