Aerobic Exercise for Aging Brain Health

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byJoe R. Nocera, PhD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 2 & 3

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

No Placebo Group

Prior Safety Data

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This proposal will evaluate two brain health measures, cerebrovascular perfusion and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), before and after a proven, interval-based, aerobic exercise intervention in older Veterans. The hypothesis is that the 12-week aerobic exercise intervention (Spin) will increase perfusion and improve CVR in brain regions susceptible to age-related decline. This information will inform the impact of exercise on cerebrovascular health which is known to be negatively impacted in aging and implicated in the development of neurogenerative disease. This information will also aid the investigators' continued efforts of clinical implementation of evidence-based exercise interventions in the local Atlanta VA and surround region.

Research Team

Joe R. Nocera, PhD

Principal Investigator

Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking older Veterans aged 65-80 with at least a high school education, who exercise minimally and have no major diseases affecting cognition or the ability to do aerobic exercises. They must be free from severe psychiatric disorders, ongoing substance abuse, and not regularly perform skilled manual movements.

Inclusion Criteria

I don't have diseases like heart, liver, or kidney disease that affect my thinking or exercise ability.

Participant will be quantified at or below the "poor" range for cardiovascular fitness as assessed by a volume of oxygen (VO2) test (26.0 ml/kg/min for males, 21.0 ml/kg/min for females)

I am between 65-80 years old and exercise less than 40 minutes a week.

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Exclusion Criteria

You have a serious mental health condition, such as psychosis, major depression, or bipolar disorder.

I do not regularly perform skilled manual tasks.

I do not have severe high blood pressure or a current drug or alcohol problem.

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Treatment Details

Interventions

Spin (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study tests how a 12-week Spin class—a type of interval-based aerobic exercise—impacts brain health in aging individuals. It focuses on whether this exercise can improve blood flow and reactivity in parts of the brain that are vulnerable as we get older.

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: SpinExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

The intervention will take place three times a week for 12 weeks and will be led by a qualified instructor (an Exercise Physiologist with five years of experience conducting the intervention). The duration of each session will be increased by 1-2 minutes to a maximum time of 45 minutes per session based on the progression of the participants and the recommendation of the instructor. Because participants are initially sedentary and detrained, exercise intensity will begin at low levels (50% of maximal heart rate reserve, HRR) but will be increased by 5% every week (if deemed necessary by the instructor) to a maximum of 75% maximal HRR.

Group II: ControlActive Control1 Intervention

Participants in the control group will be equalized (frequency and duration) to the Spin group for contact and monitoring. As such they will report to the same facility and interact with the same experienced interventionist; however instead of progressive Spin exercise they will participate in sessions focused on balance and stretching. Similar to the aerobic intervention, these exercises will take place in a group setting and heart rate will be consistently monitored during each session to verify heart rate does not reach 50% HRR.