Enhancing Function in Later Life: Exercise and Functional Network Connectivity (FORCE)

University of Colorado Boulder (CU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Aging

Treatments: Behavioral: Moderate Intensity Continuous Training+Interval Training; Behavioral: Low Intensity Continuous Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02068612

1R01AG043452-01A1

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 317 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 25+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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.)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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317 participants in 2 patient groups

MICT + IT

Experimental group

Description:

Moderate Intensity Continuous Training+Interval Training

Treatment:

Behavioral: Moderate Intensity Continuous Training+Interval Training

LICT

Active Comparator group

Description:

Low Intensity Continuous Training

Treatment:

Behavioral: Low Intensity Continuous Training