Aerobic Exercise for Cognitive Function

(TEEMY Trial)

Overseen By Shin Park, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Disqualifiers: Cardiac, Pulmonary, Metabolic, others

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

80 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Cumulative evidence indicates that a single bout of exercise has beneficial impacts on memory in young adults. From a physiological perspective, acute exercise leads to changes of heart rate variability (HRV), which is associated with memory retrieval process. From a psychological perspective, acute exercise increases the arousal level and thus facilitates cognitive processing including memory storage and retrieval. Such HRV- and/or arousal-based effects of exercise on memory could be differed by the time of day in young adults based on their circadian rhythms of HRV. Moreover, young adults prefer afternoon or evening to morning in their circadian rhythms, demonstrating less wakefulness and lower memory performance in the morning relative to afternoon. Based on the potential psychophysiological mechanisms, exercise could impact young adults' memory differently by the time of day. The investigators aim to 1) determine the extent to which the time of day modulates how moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise impacts verbal-auditory and visuospatial short- and long-term memory in young adults, and 2) consider potential psychological and physiological markers that may mediate exercise's effects on cognitive performance. As cognitive benefits of exercise might differ by the time of day, it is important to investigate such interaction and make the right recommendations of the timing of exercise for young adults in academic settings.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for cognitive function?

Research shows that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can improve cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and those with vascular cognitive impairment. It is especially beneficial for people who already have some cognitive decline, suggesting that this type of exercise might help maintain or improve brain health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is aerobic exercise safe for humans?

Aerobic exercise, including moderate-intensity and high-intensity workouts, has been studied in older adults and is generally considered safe when performed according to guidelines. Participants in studies have engaged in supervised exercise programs without significant safety concerns reported. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

How does moderate-intensity aerobic exercise differ from other treatments for improving cognitive function?

Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is unique because it enhances cognitive function by improving brain health and blood flow, unlike other treatments that may not directly target these areas. It is a non-drug approach that involves physical activity, which can also provide additional physical health benefits. ^{7 10 11 12 13}

Research Team

Kyoung Shin Park, PhD

Principal Investigator

UNC Greensboro

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthy young adults aged 18-25 who are already active, meeting the recommended guidelines of at least 90 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Participants must be willing to visit the lab twice and avoid other exercise for four days.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 25 years old.

I can commit to 2 visits over 4 days and avoid exercising outside the lab during this time.

You are currently exercising for at least 90 minutes per week as recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete baseline cognitive tests without exercise intervention

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Exercise Intervention

Participants engage in a 30-minute moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise session, either in the morning or afternoon, followed by cognitive tests

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for memory performance immediately and 24 hours after the exercise intervention

1 day

2 visits (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise

Trial Overview The study tests how doing moderate-intensity aerobic exercise at different times of day affects memory in young adults. It looks into whether morning or afternoon exercise has a better impact on both short-term and long-term verbal-auditory and visuospatial memory.

Participant Groups

Group I: Morning group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participant are assigned to the morning group (7-9am) for 30-min exercise/rest interventions.

Group II: Afternoon group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participant are assigned to the afternoon group (3-5pm) for 30-min exercise/rest interventions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Lead Sponsor

Trials

33

Recruited

16,700+

Findings from Research

A systematic review of 11 studies with 1497 participants found that aerobic exercise significantly improves global cognitive ability in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores.

While aerobic exercise showed a small positive effect on memory recall, no significant improvements were observed in other cognitive domains, indicating that while beneficial, the effects of exercise on cognition may be limited.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aerobic exercise ameliorates cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Zheng, G., Xia, R., Zhou, W., et al.[2022]

Aerobic exercise may provide cognitive benefits for survivors of ischemic cerebrovascular disorders, particularly for those who already have cognitive impairment, with a significant effect size of 0.31 indicating improvement.

Moderate intensity aerobic exercise appears to be the most effective for enhancing cognitive function, although the overall impact on global cognitive function was not statistically significant.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive Gains of Aerobic Exercise in Patients With Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Shu, Y., He, Q., Xie, Y., et al.[2021]

In a study with 20 healthy participants, moderate intensity aerobic exercise improved reaction times on a cognitive task without affecting accuracy, suggesting that exercise can enhance executive function.

The use of a novel tablet-based test during exercise shows promise for further research into the relationship between physical activity and cognitive performance, as it allows for easy and reliable assessment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise improves reaction time without compromising accuracy in a novel easy-to-administer tablet-based cognitive task. Rattray, B., Smee, D.[2022]

Aerobic exercise significantly improved cognitive function in a rat model of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) by shortening the latency in the Water Maze test, indicating enhanced memory and learning capabilities.

The study revealed that exercise modulates the NF-κB/miR-503/BDNF pathway, where exercise downregulates miR-503 and NF-κB, leading to increased levels of BDNF, a protein crucial for neuron survival and function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aerobic exercise relieved vascular cognitive impairment via NF-κB/miR-503/BDNF pathway. Niu, Y., Wan, C., Zhou, B., et al.[2020]

A 6-month randomized controlled trial will assess the effects of aerobic training (AT), resistance training (RT), and their combination on cognitive function in 216 older adults (ages 65-85) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

The study aims to determine how different types of exercise can help prevent cognitive decline and potentially delay the onset of dementia, highlighting the importance of exercise as a therapeutic intervention for cognitive health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reshaping the path of mild cognitive impairment by refining exercise prescription: a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial to understand the "what," "for whom," and "how" of exercise to promote cognitive function. Barha, CK., Falck, RS., Best, JR., et al.[2022]

In a 5-year study involving 106 older adults, neither high-intensity interval training (HIIT) nor moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) showed significant cognitive benefits compared to a control group following national physical activity guidelines.

While exercise type did not impact cognitive performance, higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was linked to better processing speed and verbal memory, suggesting that maintaining or improving CRF can positively influence certain cognitive abilities in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

5 Years of Exercise Intervention Did Not Benefit Cognition Compared to the Physical Activity Guidelines in Older Adults, but Higher Cardiorespiratory Fitness Did. A Generation 100 Substudy. Sokołowski, DR., Hansen, TI., Rise, HH., et al.[2021]

A 6-month aerobic exercise program involving 206 healthy middle-aged and older adults led to improvements in cognitive functions and cerebrovascular regulation, indicating that physical activity can enhance brain health.

The study found specific associations between cognitive improvements and changes in cerebrovascular function, suggesting that better blood flow regulation during exercise and hypercapnia may contribute to enhanced executive functions and fluency.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aerobic exercise improves cognition and cerebrovascular regulation in older adults. Guadagni, V., Drogos, LL., Tyndall, AV., et al.[2020]

A study involving 4,931 older adults found that higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with better cognitive function, as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), with a significant reduction in the likelihood of cognitive impairment for each increment in CRF.

The results suggest that adhering to public health guidelines for physical activity can improve or maintain CRF, which may help preserve cognitive function in healthy older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Relationship between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scores in Older Adults. Farrell, SW., Abramowitz, AR., Willis, BL., et al.[2018]

In a study of 421 older adults at risk for cognitive impairment, higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was linked to better executive functions and processing speed over a two-year period.

The study found that while CRF positively influenced overall cognitive function, it did not show a significant association with memory performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cognition: Longitudinal Associations in the FINGER Study. Pentikäinen, H., Savonen, K., Ngandu, T., et al.[2020]

Cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects daily functioning in a hierarchical manner, with executive functioning having a more significant impact on function than memory.

Aerobic exercise may enhance cognitive and functional abilities in individuals with AD by potentially altering harmful changes in the brain, suggesting a beneficial intervention for improving quality of life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving cognition and function through exercise intervention in Alzheimer's disease. Yu, F., Kolanowski, AM., Strumpf, NE., et al.[2022]

A 1-year aerobic exercise program significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults, increasing peak VO2 by about 10%, but did not prevent age-related declines in brain volume or cortical thickness.

Both aerobic exercise and stretching improved cognitive performance over time, but there was no significant difference between the two groups, indicating that while exercise is beneficial, it may not fully counteract brain aging effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aerobic exercise training and neurocognitive function in cognitively normal older adults: A one-year randomized controlled trial. Tarumi, T., Patel, NR., Tomoto, T., et al.[2023]

Acute aerobic exercise significantly improves attention in physically active adults, with a mean change score of 3.46 compared to a control condition, while resistance exercise did not show a significant difference from the control.

Both aerobic and resistance exercises led to marginal improvements in executive function, suggesting that incorporating both types of exercise into training routines may enhance cognitive performance alongside physical benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of a resistance vs. an aerobic single session on attention and executive functioning in adults. Dunsky, A., Abu-Rukun, M., Tsuk, S., et al.[2023]

Aerobic exercise has been shown to enhance various aspects of brain function and cognition, supported by both human and animal studies, indicating its importance for mental performance.

Regular physical activity, especially in children, not only combats obesity but also has the potential to improve academic performance, suggesting that exercise is crucial for both physical and mental health throughout life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Be smart, exercise your heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition. Hillman, CH., Erickson, KI., Kramer, AF.[2023]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aerobic exercise ameliorates cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. [2022]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive Gains of Aerobic Exercise in Patients With Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2021]

3. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise improves reaction time without compromising accuracy in a novel easy-to-administer tablet-based cognitive task. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aerobic exercise relieved vascular cognitive impairment via NF-κB/miR-503/BDNF pathway. [2020]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reshaping the path of mild cognitive impairment by refining exercise prescription: a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial to understand the "what," "for whom," and "how" of exercise to promote cognitive function. [2022]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

5 Years of Exercise Intervention Did Not Benefit Cognition Compared to the Physical Activity Guidelines in Older Adults, but Higher Cardiorespiratory Fitness Did. A Generation 100 Substudy. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aerobic exercise improves cognition and cerebrovascular regulation in older adults. [2020]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Relationship between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scores in Older Adults. [2018]

9. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cognition: Longitudinal Associations in the FINGER Study. [2020]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving cognition and function through exercise intervention in Alzheimer's disease. [2022]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aerobic exercise training and neurocognitive function in cognitively normal older adults: A one-year randomized controlled trial. [2023]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of a resistance vs. an aerobic single session on attention and executive functioning in adults. [2023]

13. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Be smart, exercise your heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition. [2023]