Enhancing Function in Later Life: Exercise and Functional Network Connectivity

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Physiological and neurocognitive changes experienced as a result of increasing age may influence socioemotional functioning and economic behaviors, yet, the mechanisms through which these changes occur are not well understood. Studies have also shown that aerobic exercise may protect against age-related cognitive decline in other domains. This research is designed to test the hypothesis that aerobic exercise will enhance social, emotional and economic functioning in older adults, and that these effects will occur via the effect of exercise on neurocognitive structure and function assessed via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Advancing our knowledge of the mechanisms that influence emotional, social and economic functioning could inform the development of targeted treatments and prevention programs for older adults.

Official Title
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Enhancing Function in Later Life: Exercise and Functional Network Connectivity

Conditions
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Aging

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Moderate Intensity Continuous Training+Interval Training
* Behavioral: Low Intensity Continuous Training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age 25-35 for younger adults, and age 60 or over for older adults Sedentary (i.e., < 60 minutes per week of moderate physical activity in the past 6-months) Able to make fewer than 3 errors on the Pfeiffer Mental Status192 Willing to accept random assignment to condition (older adults) Physically capable of safely engaging in moderate exercise activity (i.e., no injuries, physical impairments, or pre-existing contraindications) as assessed by a study physician Able to successfully complete a maximal exercise test without evidence of cardiac or other abnormalities Planning to remain in the Boulder-Denver metro area for the next 4 months (older adults) Exclusion Criteria: Are a heavy smoker (>20 pack years) Are diabetic Have a body size exceeding the capacity of the magnetic resonance imaging machine (approximately 23 in diameter) Are on antipsychotic medications Are currently under treatment for any psychiatric disorder, including clinical depression, Alzheimer's, or dementia Are currently pregnant Have magnetic resonance imaging contraindications (i.e., non-removable metallic implants, claustrophobia, traumatic brain injury, current pregnancy, etc.)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 25 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: MICT + IT<br>Moderate Intensity Continuous Training+Interval Training | Behavioral: Moderate Intensity Continuous Training+Interval Training<br> <br> * Other names: MICT+IT;|
| Active Comparator: LICT<br>Low Intensity Continuous Training | Behavioral: Low Intensity Continuous Training<br> <br> * Other names: LICT;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cognitive Function | Functional connectivity is measured via having participants lie in a magnetic resonance imaging scanner and passively stare at a centrally-positioned fixation crosshair for 8 min while their brain activity is recorded. Executive function will be measured with 3 tasks characterized by the three domains of executive function: updating, shifting, and inhibition. For updating, we will utilize the Keep Track task,for shifting, we will use the Category Switch Task, and for inhibition we will use the Stroop task. | 4 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Executive function,, cardiovascular fitness,, cognitive function