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Effects of Resistance Exercise Training on Cognitive Function and Physical Performance in Cognitive Frailty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Background

Cognitive frailty is defined as the presence of both physical frailty and cognitive impairment (clinical dementia rating score = 0.5), in the absence of dementia. It is characterized by concurrent physical frailty and potentially reversible cognitive impairment. In this study, we sought to elucidate the effects of high-speed resistance exercise training on cognitive function and physical performance in older adults with cognitive frailty.

Methods

We conducted a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial involving community-living older adults with cognitive frailty. The participants’ mean age was 73.9 (± 4.3 SD) years, and 69.8% (n=30) were female. Two different 4-month interventions included high-speed resistance exercise training group (n=22) and a control group (balance and band stretching, n=23). Frailty score, cognitive function (memory, processing speed, cognitive flexibility, working memory, executive function), physical function (SPPB, TUG, gait speed), and muscle strength (grip strength, knee extension strength) were assessed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks.

Results

Statistical analysis showed that exercise improved performance significantly in the tests for cognitive function (processing speed and executive function, both p < 0.05), physical function (SPPB, TUG, gait speed, both p < 0.05), and muscle strength (grip strength, knee extension strength, both p < 0.05). However, no significant changes in frailty score were observed between intervention and either control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In conclusion, our findings indicate that high-speed resistance exercise training approaches are effective in improving cognitive function and physical performance in older adults with cognitive frailty. This study shows that it is feasible to identify older adults with cognitive frailty in the community and primary care setting for effective intervention to reduce their level of frailty and cognitive impairment.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health and Exercise Science, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

    D. H. Yoon & Wook Song

  2. Institute on Aging, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

    Wook Song

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, SMG-SNVU Boramaero Medical Center, 5–20 Boramaero, Dongak-gu, Seoul, 07061, Korea

    D. H. Yoon & Jun-Young Lee

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea

    Jun-Young Lee

  5. Institute of Sports Science, Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanangno, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul, 08826, Korea

    Wook Song

  6. Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine. SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, 5-20, Boramae-Ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 07061, Korea

    Jun-Young Lee

Authors
  1. D. H. Yoon
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Correspondence to Jun-Young Lee or Wook Song.

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Yoon, D.H., Lee, JY. & Song, W. Effects of Resistance Exercise Training on Cognitive Function and Physical Performance in Cognitive Frailty: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Nutr Health Aging 22, 944–951 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-018-1090-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-018-1090-9

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