HIIT for Brain Health in Aging

(HIIT2SITLess Trial)

Overseen By Dominika M Pindus, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Must not be taking: Corticosteroids, Opioids, Anabolic androgens, others

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Neurological condition, Heart disease, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

54 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if short breaks from sitting, filled with high-intensity exercise, can enhance brain health in older adults with normal cognitive function. Participants will engage in either high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or light-intensity interval training (LIIT) during these breaks. The researchers seek to discover if these brief, intense exercise sessions can improve specific brain functions and overall cognitive performance. Individuals who sit for 6 or more hours daily and do not get enough exercise might be well-suited for this study. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding how exercise affects brain health in older adults.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are currently taking medications that affect the central nervous system, except for anxiolytics (medications that reduce anxiety).

What prior data suggests that these exercise protocols are safe for older adults?

Research has shown that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is generally safe for older adults and can positively impact brain health. One study found that even short bursts of HIIT improved thinking skills and memory, indicating the exercise is usually well-tolerated. Other studies suggest that HIIT may help maintain brain health by promoting the growth of new brain cells and aiding brain adaptation. Although HIIT is more intense, it is typically safe with proper guidance and monitoring. Participants have not reported major side effects, making it a good option for those seeking to enhance brain function through exercise. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the HIIT and LIIT breaks for brain health in aging because these approaches break away from traditional methods that often rely on medications or long, continuous exercise sessions. Unlike standard treatments, which might include lifestyle modifications or pharmaceuticals targeting specific cognitive functions, these interval training techniques offer a dynamic way to enhance brain health by integrating short, intense, or light activity bursts into daily routines. This method could make it easier for older adults to incorporate physical activity into their lives, potentially improving cognitive health without the need for significant time investment or medication. The novelty lies in how these short bouts of activity might stimulate brain function and counteract the negative impacts of prolonged sitting.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for brain health in aging?

Research has shown that high-intensity interval training (HIIT), one of the interventions in this trial, can boost brain health and thinking skills in older adults. One study found that regular HIIT sessions improved executive function, which includes abilities like problem-solving and focusing. Another study suggested that these benefits might last for years, making HIIT possibly more beneficial for brain health than less intense exercises. This trial will compare HIIT with light-intensity interval training (LIIT), another intervention under study, to evaluate their effects on cognitive health. HIIT may also help slow or even reverse age-related declines in memory and learning. Overall, evidence suggests that HIIT could effectively enhance cognitive health as people age. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Dominika M Pindus, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for cognitively normal older adults interested in improving brain health. Participants should be able to sit for long periods and perform both high-intensity and light-intensity exercises. Specific inclusion or exclusion criteria are not provided, but typically these would relate to age, mobility, cognitive baseline status, and the absence of certain medical conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

BMI <40 kg/m2

My vision and hearing are good or corrected.

I am between 60 and 75 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Color blindness

Learning disabilities

I have a mental health condition.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants undergo two conditions: HIIT and LIIT, each lasting 3.5 hours with a washout period of 1-4 weeks between conditions

3.5 hours per session, with a 1-4 weeks washout period

2 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in brain activity and cognitive functions immediately before and after each intervention session

Immediately before and after each session

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Breaks to Sitting
• Light-Intensity Interval Training (LIIT) Breaks to Sitting

Trial Overview The study is testing if taking breaks from sitting with either high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or light-intensity interval training (LIIT) affects brain function in older adults. It will compare the effects of short HIIT versus LIIT breaks on mental performance after sitting for extended times.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Breaks Active Control 1 Intervention

Sitting interrupted every 30 min by 6-min HIIT bouts.

Group II: Light-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Breaks Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Sitting interrupted every 30 min by 6-min LIIT bouts.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Lead Sponsor

Trials

203

Recruited

40,600+

Northeastern University

Collaborator

Trials

103

Recruited

72,600+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A systematic review of 6 studies found no overall difference in time trial (TT) performance improvements between high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT), indicating both methods are similarly effective for trained individuals.

However, long-duration HIIT (≥ 4 minutes) showed a 2% greater improvement in TT performance compared to SIT, suggesting that longer work intervals may be more beneficial for enhancing performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training Versus Sprint Interval Training on Time-Trial Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Rosenblat, MA., Perrotta, AS., Thomas, SG.[2021]

A study involving 69 older adults showed that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) significantly improved cognitive flexibility, as measured by faster reaction times on the Stroop Task, compared to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and resistance training (RT) after six weeks of exercise.

While all exercise groups improved cardiorespiratory fitness, only the HIIT group demonstrated enhanced executive function, suggesting that HIIT may be particularly effective in combating cognitive decline in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Cognitive Flexibility in Older Adults. Mekari, S., Neyedli, HF., Fraser, S., et al.[2020]

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a time-efficient exercise method that may provide similar or superior cardiovascular and cerebrovascular benefits compared to Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT), which is important for preventing neurovascular diseases in older adults.

Despite the known benefits of MICT, there is a lack of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) specifically examining the effects of HIIT on brain health, highlighting the need for future research to explore its potential neuroprotective effects in an aging population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

HIITing the brain with exercise: mechanisms, consequences and practical recommendations. Calverley, TA., Ogoh, S., Marley, CJ., et al.[2021]

An 8-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) and cognitive performance in older sedentary women, with notable enhancements in composite cognitive scores, language, and visuospatial memory.

Despite these cognitive improvements, there were no significant changes in hippocampal subfield volumes or cerebral oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), suggesting that the mechanisms behind the cognitive benefits of HIIT may not be directly linked to these brain structure or oxygenation changes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a brief HIIT intervention on cognitive performance in older women. Norling, AM., Gerstenecker, A., Bolding, MS., et al.[2023]

A scoping review of 69 studies on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in older adults found that HIIT protocols are generally well-tolerated and can provide significant health benefits, particularly in improving cardiorespiratory fitness.

Most research has focused on healthy older adults, highlighting a need for larger studies and more investigation into HIIT's effects on older adults with various health conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Intensity Interval Training in Older Adults: a Scoping Review. Marriott, CFS., Petrella, AFM., Marriott, ECS., et al.[2021]

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to significantly improve various health outcomes, including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle mass, and mental health indicators like anxiety and depression, across diverse populations, as evidenced by 33 systematic reviews involving both healthy individuals and those with health complications.

HIIT is considered safe, with no reported acute injuries and high adherence rates exceeding 80%, suggesting it is a feasible exercise option for many people.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can high-intensity interval training improve physical and mental health outcomes? A meta-review of 33 systematic reviews across the lifespan. Martland, R., Mondelli, V., Gaughran, F., et al.[2023]

A 4-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program significantly improved cognitive function and physical performance in six non-dementia elderly participants, with notable enhancements in memory, executive function, and physical tests like the sit-to-stand and stationary march.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) results indicated positive brain changes, showing increased beta power in the frontal region and decreased theta power in the temporal region, suggesting improved functional brain activity associated with the exercise intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a High-Intensity Interval Physical Exercise Program on Cognition, Physical Performance, and Electroencephalogram Patterns in Korean Elderly People: A Pilot Study. Lee, SM., Choi, M., Chun, BO., et al.[2022]

A 12-week study involving 29 overweight and obese elderly individuals showed that both high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and vigorous-intensity continuous training (VICT) significantly improved physical fitness measures like VO2max and flexibility, but HIIT was more effective in increasing VO2max and serum neurotrophin-3 levels.

Despite improvements in physical fitness and neurotrophic factors, there were no significant changes in cognitive function scores, suggesting that while HIIT and VICT enhance physical health, their impact on cognitive function may be limited.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-term high-intensity interval training increases serum neurotrophic factors in elderly overweight and obese Chinese adults. Li, X., Han, T., Zou, X., et al.[2022]

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) significantly improves cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults, as evidenced by a greater increase in peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) compared to moderate-intensity continuous training, with a weighted mean difference of 1.74.

HIIT also leads to beneficial changes in physical fitness, muscle power, and metabolic health, including lower blood triglyceride and glucose levels, which can help combat age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) and promote overall health in older individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of high-intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, physical fitness, and metabolic parameters in older adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Wu, ZJ., Wang, ZY., Gao, HE., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-024-83802-9

The effects of high-intensity interval training on cognitive ... Acute HIIT improved executive function, less than 8 weeks of HIIT improved executive function and memory, and more than 8 weeks of HIIT improved ...

2. health.harvard.edu health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/cognitive-benefits-from-high-intensity-interval-training-may-last-for-years

Cognitive benefits from high-intensity interval training may ... A recent study found that engaging in high-intensity interval training may be better for brain health than other less vigorous routines.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7693870/

High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Cognitive ... Introduction: Regular aerobic exercise is associated with better executive function in older adults.

4. ifm.org ifm.org/articles/hot-topic-hiit-cognitive-health

HIIT Improves and Sustains Cognitive Health Among Older ... Explore a new study suggesting exercise, especially HIIT, may be effective for the improvement of brain health and cognitive function.

5. peterattiamd.com peterattiamd.com/hiit-and-cognitive-function/

High-intensity interval training and cognitive function in ... A new study indicates that HIIT may help delay or even reverse age-related declines in memory and learning, but this exercise modality remains just one aspect ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11764394/

The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Brain ... Some studies have shown that HIIT could optimize BDNF levels, adding to previously mentioned cognitive functions, such as learning and memory [17,18,19,20,21].

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306987725001641

High intensity interval training and its impact on brain- ... Consequently, HIIT will have greater impact on maintaining neurogenesis and plasticity within the hippocampus to prevent and delay dementia progression.

8. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/aging/articles/10.3389/fragi.2025.1589730/full

Effects of high-intensity interval training on physical and ... We found that HIIT had less influence on both physical and cognitive function than expected, which may be because function in this age group remains relatively ...