Cognitive performance is negatively related to an impaired glucose metabolism, possibly due to impairments in brain vascular function. Supported by the statement from the American Heart and Stroke Association that physical exercise is one of the most effective strategies to protect against cognitive decline, we now hypothesize that exercise-induced changes in glucose metabolism cause beneficial effects on brain vascular function thereby improving cognitive performance. The primary objective of this intervention study is thus to evaluate in sedentary elderly men the effect of a 8-week aerobic-based exercise program on cerebral blood flow, as quantified by the non-invasive gold standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion method Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL). Cerebral blood flow is a robust and sensitive physiological marker of brain vascular function. Secondary objectives are to examine effects on glucose metabolism using the oral glucose tolerance test and cognitive performance as assessed with a neurophysiological test battery.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
19
Aerobic-based exercise will be carried out on a cycling ergometer three times a week for 30 minutes at 70% of the maximal workload. Every two weeks, the maximal workload will be reassessed, and training loads will be readjusted accordingly. Fully supervised training sessions will be performed with three-to-four study participants at a time. Subjects should maintain their body weight during the intervention period.
Maastricht University Medical Center
Maastricht, Netherlands
Brain vascular function
Cerebral blood flow as quantified non-invasively by the MRI perfusion method Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL)
Time frame: Difference between outcomes at the end of an 8-week aerobic-based exercise and control program
Glucose metabolism
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
Time frame: Difference between outcomes at the end of an 8-week aerobic-based exercise and control program
Cognitive performance
Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB)
Time frame: Difference between outcomes at the end of an 8-week aerobic-based exercise and control program
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