Brain Power: Resistance Training and Cognitive Function
Condition: Healthy
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Primary Objectives:

      1. To ascertain whether a 12-month, twice-weekly or once-weekly resistance training (RT)
      program will significantly improve executive function in community-dwelling women aged 65 to
      75 years old compared with a 12-month, twice-weekly stretch and relax (S & R) program (shame
      exercise). We will assess executive function by standard neuropsychological tests.

      Secondary Objectives:

        1. To describe the neural mechanisms that underpin the observed changes in executive
           function associated with a 12-month, twice-weekly or once-weekly RT training (by using
           functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)).

        2. To investigate whether RT-induced changes in executive function are independently
           associated with changes in physiological fall risk profile.

        3. To investigate the dose response of RT (resistance training) on bone health as measured
           by dual energy x-ray and peripheral quantitative computed tomography.

        4. To conduct a one-year follow-up after the formal cessation of the resistance training
           programs to determine the persisting effect of resistance training on cognitive
           performance, cortical plasticity, physiological falls risk, and bone health.
    

Detailed description: 
      Primary Research Question: Does resistance training (RT) significantly improve cognitive
      function, specifically executive function in older women with a Mini-Mental State Examination
      (MMSE) score equal to or greater than 24 (i.e., cognitively intact) compared with a stretch &
      relax (S & R; control) program?

      Secondary Research Questions:

        1. Are changes in cortical activation associated with RT-induced changes in executive
           function?

        2. Are RT-induced improvements in executive function associated with lowered physiological
           fall risk?

        3. Is there a dose-response on bone health with RT (resistance training)?

      RESEARCH PLAN:

      Study Design: A 12-month, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Participants: 155
      cognitively-intact (i.e., MMSE score > 24), right-handed, sedentary community-dwelling women,
      aged 65 to 75 years.

      Measurement: Measurements will take place at baseline, six month, and trial completion.
      Standard neuropsychological testing and physiological fall risk assessment will occur at all
      three measurement sessions. A subset of the participants (20 from each experimental group)
      will undergo fMRI assessment at baseline and trial completion only. Exercise Classes:
      Participants will be randomized to a 12-month, twice-weekly or once-weekly RT program or
      stretch & relax program (control). All exercises will be offered at a Vancouver YMCA with
      whom we have partnered previously. Sample Size Justification: The sample size of 50 per
      experimental group (i.e., N = 155) is based on the primary end point of this study, cognitive
      performance of executive function. SUMMARY: Falls are a major challenge for the senior
      population. To date, no intervention has significantly reduced falls among those with
      cognitive impairment. Our immediate primary goal is to test whether RT can improve cognitive
      performance of executive function; impaired executive function are associated with injurious
      falls. If this proposed exercise trial proves successful, the RT intervention will be trialed
      in the future in a larger study powered for falls.
    

Intervention name(s): Exercise Training; Exercise training; Exercise training
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Twice weekly resistance training for 52 weeks.; Once weekly resistance training for 52 weeks.; Twice weekly resistance training for 52 weeks.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Exercise; Resistance training