Resistance Exercise Training in Individuals Aged 60 and Older With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Summary

The aging population in Chile and worldwide is increasing, with older people expected to represent 32.1% of the population by 2050. This demographic shift brings age-related pathologies such as dementia, a leading cause of disability and dependence among older individuals globally. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) precedes dementia and presents a critical therapeutic window for halting or slowing its progression. While resistance exercise training appears promising for this at-risk population, few studies have evaluated its effects on cognitive function and muscle strength in individuals with MCI.

Hypothesis: Twelve weeks of progressive resistance exercise training will significantly improve cognitive function, skeletal muscle mass, and strength in people over 60 years of age with MCI compared to the usual therapy in the control group.

Goal: The main objective of this study is to compare the effect of progressive resistance exercise training with usual therapy (control group) on cognitive function, skeletal muscle mass, and strength in individuals over 60 years of age with mild cognitive impairment.

Methodology: In this randomized controlled trial, we will recruit 60 participants (both men and women) aged 60 years or older. Participants will be identified with MCI using the MoCA and Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire (PFAQ). They will be randomly assigned to two equal groups: a control group (receiving usual therapy) and an intervention group (receiving usual therapy plus resistance training). All participants in both groups will be evaluated before (Pre-time 0) and after (Post-time 1) the intervention. During the evaluations, samples and measurements will be taken, including fasting blood samples for BDNF and CTSB measurement, whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to assess global muscle mass, and magnetic resonance imaging of the quadriceps and brain. Global cognitive function will be evaluated using the ACEIII test, maximum strength with 1 repetition maximum (1RM), functional capacity with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), adapted Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (T-ADLQ). Finally, quality of life will be assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF scale.

Conditions

• Mild Cognitive Impairment

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Progressive Resistance exercise training

The training sessions will begin with a 5-minute warm-up on a cycle ergometer and global movements involving the upper limbs. Following this, participants will perform one additional warm-up set, followed by four regular sets on both the leg press and leg extension machines. Upper body exercises will then be conducted on the chest press, pull-up, and horizontal rowing machines, with each exercise comprising 2 sets. To conclude each session, there will be a 5-minute cooldown period involving global muscle stretching exercises. During the initial 6-week period, the workload will progressively increase from 60% to 80% of 1RM (10 repetitions per set). Subsequently, the 1RM will be reassessed to adjust workloads (maintaining 60%-80%) for the subsequent 6-week period. Compliance for per-protocol analysis will require participants to complete at least 80% of the training sessions (i.e., a minimum of 29 out of 36 sessions).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo

  collaborator OTHER

• Universidad de La Frontera

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-08-15

Primary Completion

2026-06-30

Completion

2027-03-31

Countries

• Chile

Study Locations