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Influence of Fitness on Brain and Cognition
This study is currently recruiting participants.
Study NCT00438347   Information provided by National Institute on Aging (NIA)
First Received: February 21, 2007   Last Updated: August 13, 2008   History of Changes

February 21, 2007
August 13, 2008
April 2006
 
Behavioral measures [ Time Frame: baseline, 6 and 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Same as current
Complete list of historical versions of study NCT00438347 on ClinicalTrials.gov Archive Site
fMRI [ Time Frame: baseline, 6 and 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Same as current
 
Influence of Fitness on Brain and Cognition
Influence of Fitness on Brain and Cognition

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of aerobic fitness training on human cognition, brain structure, and brain function of older adults.

Recent studies have shown the encouraging effects of fitness training on human cognition, and brain structure and function. Such effects are of great interest both for what may they tell us about the nature of cognitive and brain aging and also for their public health implications. This study will test the hypotheses that: 1) improvements in aerobic fitness of older adults will lead to improved performance on a variety of cognitive processes, and especially those processes that are supported by frontal regions of the brain; 2) improvements in cognitive processes due to enhanced aerobic fitness will be visible on fMRI scans, and will be similar to those of young adults; 3) improvements in aerobic fitness, over the course of a 1 year intervention, will result in increases in gray and white matter volume.

One hundred forty sedentary older adults will be recruited for this study. Participants will be randomized to an aerobic exercise intervention group, or to a stretching and toning control group. Aerobic exercise sessions will be conducted three times a week for one year, beginning at a light to moderate intensity level over the first two months and progressing to a moderate to high level for the remainder of the year. The control group will meet on the same basis as the intervention group, and will participate in an organized program of stretching, limbering, and toning for the whole body that is specially designed for individuals 60 years of age and older.

During this time, participants will exercise, keep a daily exercise log detailing distance walked (routes will be measured and mapped for participants), time spent in aerobic activity, degree of intensity (rating of perceived exertion), general level of affect during exercise, resting and exercise heart rates. Participants will participate in the MRI/fMRI, physiological (cardiorespiratory) and psychosocial testing prior to the beginning of the fitness training intervention, following 6 months of fitness training, and at the conclusion of the 1 year of fitness training.

 
Observational
Other, Prospective
  • Aging
  • Cognition
  • Behavioral: Aerobic Exercise
  • Behavioral: Stretching and toning
  • Intervention Group
  • Control Group

*   Includes publications given by the data provider as well as publications identified by National Clinical Trials Identifier (NCT ID) in Medline.
 
Recruiting
140
November 2009
 

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 60 to 75 years of age (for Sedentary Older Adults)
  • Sedentary Older Adults: no physical activity in last six months; Young Comparison Sample: Moderately active lifestyle
  • Capable of performing exercise
  • Personal physician's examination and consent to participate in testing and exercise or control intervention
  • Successful completion of graded exercise test without evidence of cardiac abnormalities or responses
  • Adequate performance on the Pfeiffer (1979) Mental Status measure - Corrected (near and far) vision 20/40 or better
  • Right-handed
  • Intention to remain in the local area over the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Sedentary Older Adults: self reported physical activity on regular basis (2 times or more per week) in last six months; Young Comparison Sample: sedentary or highly active/athletic lifestyle
  • Any physical disability that prohibits mobility (walking), stretching etc.
  • Depression score on GDS indicative of clinical depression
  • Presence of any implanted devices such as cardiac pacemakers or autodefibrillators; neural pacemakers, aneurysm clips in the CNS; cochlear implants; metallic bodies in the eye or CNS; any form of wires or metal devices that concentrate radiofrequency fields
  • Left-handed
  • Individuals with chronic inflammation (e.g. severe arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, polyneuropathies, Lupus)
  • Intent to move or take an extended vacation (i.e. longer than 1 month during the study period)
Both
60 Years to 75 Years
Yes
Contact: Art Kramer, PhD 217-244-1933 akramer@cyrus.psych.uiuc.edu
United States
 
NCT00438347
Art Kramer, PhD, Beckman Institute, University of Illinois
IA0102, 5R37AG025667-02
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
 
Principal Investigator: Art Kramer, PhD Beckman Institute, University of Illinois
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
August 2008

ICMJE     Data element required by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and the World Health Organization ICTRP