Aerobic Exercise for Aging Brain Health

Overseen By Medina O Bello

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2 & 3

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Must not be taking: Antihypertensives, others

Disqualifiers: Psychiatric disorders, Drug abuse, Hypertension, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how regular aerobic exercise, specifically a spinning class, can improve brain health in older adults. Researchers aim to determine if this exercise boosts blood flow and response in brain areas that often decline with age, potentially helping to prevent neurodegenerative diseases. Participants will either join a spin class or engage in balance and stretching sessions for comparison. This study suits adults aged 65 to 80 who exercise less than 20 minutes twice a week and have no significant cognitive or physical health issues that would prevent participation. As a Phase 2 and Phase 3 trial, this research measures the exercise's effectiveness in an initial group and is in the final step before potential approval, offering participants a chance to contribute to groundbreaking health improvements.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are taking three or more medications for high blood pressure, you may not be eligible to participate.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that cycling, including spin classes, is generally safe and well-tolerated for most people. Studies have found that indoor cycling can improve heart health, lower blood pressure, and boost overall fitness. It may also help reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Although serious side effects are rare, some people might experience mild soreness or tiredness, especially when starting. Overall, spin classes and similar cycling exercises have a positive safety record. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this study treatment for brain health?

Researchers are excited about the use of aerobic exercise, specifically Spin classes, for aging brain health because it offers a non-drug approach to enhancing cognitive function. Unlike traditional treatments that might involve medication, Spin classes aim to improve brain health through physical activity, which can also boost overall fitness and cardiovascular health. The progressive nature of the Spin exercise, where intensity increases gradually based on individual progress, allows for a personalized approach that can accommodate participants starting from a sedentary lifestyle. This unique method of targeting brain health through tailored physical activity holds promise for improving mental acuity while also fostering physical well-being.

What evidence suggests that this aerobic exercise intervention is effective for improving brain health in older adults?

Research has shown that aerobic exercise, such as Spin classes, can improve brain health in older adults. In this trial, participants in the Spin group will engage in aerobic exercise sessions. Studies have found that aerobic exercise increases blood flow to the brain, delivering more oxygen and nutrients, which can enhance memory and thinking skills. Previous research also indicates that exercise supports brain plasticity, helping the brain adapt and function better with age. Thus, strong evidence suggests that this type of exercise can promote a healthier brain in older adults. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Joe R. Nocera, PhD

Principal Investigator

Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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.

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.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo a 12-week aerobic exercise intervention or a control stretching condition

12 weeks

3 sessions per week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cerebrovascular function and performance

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Spin

Trial Overview The 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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Spin Experimental Treatment 1 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: Control Active Control 1 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.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10228832/

Brain function effects of exercise interventions for cognitive ... It is well reported that exercise (aerobic, resistance or tai-chi) can improve cognition in older adults with and without cognitive decline ( ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568163722000332

Optimal dose and type of exercise to improve cognitive ... Moderate exercise improves cognitive function in healthy elderly people: results of a randomized controlled trial. Clin. Pract. Epidemiol. Ment. Health, 17 ...

3. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/aging-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2019.00333/full

Aerobic Exercise Training Improves Cerebral Blood Flow ... Our results show that aerobic exercise training improves regional CBF in sedentary older men. Also, cognitive performance in the domain of executive function ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666245025000108

The effect of aerobic exercise on cerebral perfusion in ... Aerobic exercise may improve cerebral perfusion and may thereby attenuate, or delay, cognitive decline.

5. germanjournalsportsmedicine.com germanjournalsportsmedicine.com/archive/archive-2021/issue-7/physical-activity-aging-and-brain-health/

Physical Activity, Aging and Brain Health Recent research has shown that physical activity and/or physical exercise benefits cognition and brain plasticity across the lifespan.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6388745/

The effect of cycling on cognitive function and well-being in ... The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of an outdoor cycling intervention on cognitive function and mental health and well-being in older ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6722762/

Health Benefits of Indoor Cycling: A Systematic Review Results revealed that indoor cycling may improve aerobic capacity, blood pressure, lipid profile, and body composition.

8. cnn.com cnn.com/2025/09/20/health/cycling-lower-dementia-risk-study-wellness

Cycling linked with lower dementia risk, study finds Riding a bike is associated with a 19% lower risk of all-cause dementia and a 22% lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, compared with taking ...

9. neurotrackerx.com neurotrackerx.com/post/how-spinning-is-opening-new-frontiers-for-brain-health

How Spinning is Opening New Frontiers for Brain Health Vestibular stimulation led to increased neural efficiency and improved cognitive performance, even in individuals with previous brain injuries.

10. medpagetoday.com medpagetoday.com/neurology/dementia/115984

Cycling in Midlife Tied to Lower Risk of Dementia Active transportation modes in midlife -- notably, cycling -- were tied to a lower dementia risk over 13 years. Cycling was also associated with ...