Optimizing Combined Physical and Cognitive Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Summary

This laboratory-based interventional study aims to determine which combination of physical activity intensity and cognitive activity difficulty yields the greatest acute cognitive benefits in community-dwelling older adults.

The main question it aims to answer is:

\- Which combination of physical and cognitive activity results in the greatest short-term improvement in cognitive functioning?

Researchers will compare four different combinations of physical intensity and cognitive task difficulty to determine whether one combination stands out. In addition, the study examines whether these effects differ depending on baseline cardiorespiratory fitness.

Participants will:

* undergo a preparatory phase in which their cardiorespiratory fitness, individualized physical activity intensity levels, and cognitive activity difficulty levels are established
* visit the laboratory four times, with one week between visits, to complete each combination of physical and cognitive activity (light vs. moderate physical activity × easy vs. challenging cognitive activity)
* complete cognitive tests immediately before and after each condition

Conditions

• Healthy

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Light physical activity + easy cognitive activity

Participants walk on a treadmill at an individualized light physical activity intensity (30-39% of heart rate reserve) while performing cognitive tasks individually classified as easy.

BEHAVIORAL

Light physical activity + challenging cognitive activity

Participants walk on a treadmill at an individualized light physical activity intensity (30-39% of heart rate reserve) while performing cognitive tasks individually classified as challenging.

BEHAVIORAL

Moderate physical activity + easy cognitive activity

Participants walk on a treadmill at an individualized moderate physical activity intensity (40-59% of heart rate reserve) while performing cognitive tasks individually classified as easy.

BEHAVIORAL

Moderate physical activity + challenging cognitive activity

Participants walk on a treadmill at an individualized moderate physical activity intensity (40-59% of heart rate reserve) while performing cognitive tasks individually classified as challenging.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Ghent

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Greet Cardon, Prof. Dr. · University Ghent

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-02

Primary Completion

2026-05-13

Completion

2026-05-13

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations