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

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial will examine whether interrupting 3.5 hours of sitting every 30 min with 6 min high intensity interval training (HIIT) breaks compared to light intensity interval training (LIIT) will improve brain health in cognitively normal older adults. This trial will test the feasibility of HIIT breaks to sitting. It will also address several important but unanswered questions: (1) Does interrupting sitting with short HIIT breaks improve frontoparietal function? (2) Can interrupting sitting with HIIT breaks improve cognitive functions?

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for brain health in aging?

Research shows that HIIT can improve cognitive performance, including language and memory, in older adults. It also enhances cardiorespiratory fitness, which is linked to better brain health and may help slow cognitive decline. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is high-intensity interval training (HIIT) safe for older adults?

HIIT is generally well-tolerated in older adults and does not seem to be associated with acute injuries or serious cardiovascular events. However, more large-scale studies are needed to further evaluate its safety in this population. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

How does the HIIT treatment for brain health in aging differ from other treatments?

HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) is unique because it involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by rest, making it a time-efficient way to improve brain health and cognitive function in older adults. Unlike other exercise routines, HIIT has been shown to enhance cognitive flexibility and increase neurotrophic factors, which support brain health, more effectively than moderate-intensity or resistance training. ^{1 2 3 4 9}

Research Team

Dominika M Pindus, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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 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]

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) 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]

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 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 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]

References

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

HIITing the brain with exercise: mechanisms, consequences and practical recommendations. [2021]

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

Effects of a brief HIIT intervention on cognitive performance in older women. [2023]

3. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-term high-intensity interval training increases serum neurotrophic factors in elderly overweight and obese Chinese adults. [2022]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Cognitive Flexibility in Older Adults. [2020]

5. England 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. [2021]

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

High-Intensity Interval Training in Older Adults: a Scoping Review. [2021]

7. England 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. [2023]

8. New Zealand 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. [2021]

9. Korea (South) 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. [2022]