The demographic landscape worldwide is undergoing a significant transformation marked by a rapid increase in the elderly population. This demographic shift presents profound implications for healthcare systems and societal well-being, necessitating a proactive approach to address the health needs of older adults. Aging is often accompanied by cognitive decline and physical frailty, posing challenges to maintaining independence and quality of life. Recognizing these challenges, there is growing interest in exploring lifestyle interventions such as physical activity to mitigate age-related declines and promote healthy aging. Physical exercise, encompassing both aerobic and resistance training, has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance cognitive function and physical capabilities among older adults. This study aims to investigate the distinct impacts of aerobic exercise and resistance training on cognitive and physical functions in individuals aged 60 years and above.

 

The imperative to study the effects of physical exercise on older adults' cognitive and physical functions stems from the pressing societal need to optimize health outcomes in an aging population. As individuals age, there is a natural progression of cognitive changes, including declines in processing speed, memory, and executive function, which can impact daily activities and overall well-being. Additionally, age-related declines in physical function, such as reduced muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness, contribute to diminished mobility and independence. Given the potential of physical exercise to counteract these declines, understanding its differential effects on cognitive and physical health becomes paramount. This research seeks to fill existing knowledge gaps by elucidating how specific types of exercise, namely aerobic and resistance training, influence cognitive performance and physical abilities in older adults.

 

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise and resistance training on cognitive and physical functions among older adults aged 60 years and above. Through rigorous exploration, the study aims to delineate the specific impacts of each exercise modality on cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and executive function. Furthermore, it seeks to assess how aerobic and resistance training contribute to improvements in physical function, including muscular strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. By addressing these objectives, the study aims to provide valuable insights into optimizing exercise prescriptions tailored to enhance both cognitive and physical health outcomes in aging populations. This research endeavors to inform future public health strategies aimed at promoting healthy and successful aging through targeted exercise interventions.

 

Methodology:

Study Design and Setting: This study employs a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design to investigate the comparative effects of aerobic exercise and resistance training on cognition and physical function among older adults. The study is conducted at the Department of Physiotherapy, Mohamed Sathak AJ College of Physiotherapy, Chennai. RCTs are chosen for their rigorous control over confounding variables and ability to establish causality between interventions and outcomes.

 

Participants: The participants are recruited from the local community through advertisements and outreach programs. Inclusion criteria include individuals aged 60 years or older, free from any neurological disorders or significant cognitive impairment (assessed by a preliminary screening using the Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]), and able to participate in moderate physical activity as determined by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). Exclusion criteria include severe musculoskeletal conditions, recent surgeries, or conditions that contraindicate participation in aerobic or resistance exercises. Written informed consent is obtained from all participants prior to enrollment.

 

Interventions: Participants who meet the inclusion criteria are randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A (aerobic exercise) or Group B (resistance training). Randomization is achieved using computer-generated random numbers to ensure allocation concealment and reduce selection bias. Each group consists of 30 participants, resulting in a total sample size of 60 older adults. The intervention period spans 12 weeks, during which participants attend supervised exercise sessions three times per week, each lasting approximately 50 minutes.

 

Aerobic Exercise Protocol: Group A participants engage in aerobic exercises such as walking, cycling, or swimming. The intensity of aerobic exercise is individually tailored based on each participant's fitness level, determined by the 6-minute walk test and the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. Progression in intensity is guided by heart rate monitoring using age-predicted maximum heart rate (220-age) and a target heart rate zone of 60-80% of maximum heart rate.

 

Resistance Training Protocol: Group B participants perform resistance exercises targeting major muscle groups using elastic bands, dumbbells, and bodyweight exercises. The resistance training program is designed to progressively overload participants, starting with lighter resistance and increasing gradually based on each participant's strength gains. Exercises include squats, lunges, chest presses, and bicep curls, with an emphasis on proper technique and controlled movements.

 

Outcome Measures: Outcome assessments are conducted at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 12-week intervention period (post-intervention). The primary outcomes include cognition assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) and physical function evaluated using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Secondary outcomes include measures of cardiovascular fitness (6-minute walk test), muscle strength (handgrip dynamometry), and quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire). Assessments are conducted by trained assessors who are blinded to group allocation to minimize assessment bias.

 

BAR DIAGRAM 1

Graph 1

 

This bar diagram shows mean value of Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MOCA) of pre-testand post-test for Group A (aerobic)and Group B (resistance).

BAR DIAGRAM2

Graph 2

 

This bar diagram shows the mean value of Time up and Go test of pre-test and post-test for GroupA (aerobic) and Group B (resistance).

BAR DIAGRAM 3

Graph 3

 

This bar diagram shows the mean difference of Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA) and Time up and Go test (TUG) for both Group A (aerobic)and Group B (resistance).

 

RESULT:

The result of this study shows that the Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA) and Time up and go test (TUG TEST) score shows significant improvement between the pre-test and post-test in Group A(aerobic exercise) and the Group B (resistance  exercise).

 

Mean difference of the tests shows the significant improvement. Hence indicates the aerobic exercise is more effective on cognition and physical function in older adults than the resistance exercise. The mean difference of pre-test and post test of Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA) scale measurements Group A (Aerobic) 2.27& Group B (Resistance) 1.2 respectively. The mean difference of pre-test and post test of Time up and go test (TUGTEST) measurements Group A (Aerobic) 2.26 & Group B (Resistance) 2  respectively.

 

The mean difference for the Group A who had taken aerobic exercise shows more effective on cognition and physical function in older adults than the resistance exercise.

 

The main aim of this comparative study was to analyze the effects of aerobic exercise training and resistance training on the cognitive performance of older adults without known cognitive impairment. There has been increased interest in public health interventions to improve cognition and function. Participants in this trial performed the scheduled exercise in order to improve cognition and physical function. While reviews of exercise studies in older adults have noted improvements in multiple cognitive domains in adults over age 60.

 

Multiple physiological mechanism likely account for neuro protective and neruo plastic effects of exercise on brain structures. The majority of evidence related to the underlying mechanism of physical exercise on cognitive performance has been derived from studies of aerobic exercise. However, resistant exercise may also influence cognitive performance possible through other mechanisms. Neurotrophins such as brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor have been shown to facilitate plasticity and enhance neruov a sculature in selective regions of the brain including the hippocampus. And these physiological effects may have a positive impact on cognitive function in the aging brain.

 

Through this study I would like to suggest and recommend the older people to do the above mentioned exercise procedure to improve cognitive and physical function. These exercises are cost-effective and tailored for the older people to do a home-program in a low resource setting.

 

LIMITATIONS & RECOMMENDATION:

LIMITATION:

• Subjects are both gender.
• Treatment duration not exceeding 12 weeks.
• Subjects not exceeding 30 people.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Female and male subjects can be studied separately.
• Treatment duration can be given for more than 12 weeks.
• Subjects can be taken more than 30 people.

 

CONCLUSION:

Comparing the above values of Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA) and Time up and go test (TUG TEST) between pre-test and post-test values it is evident that Aerobic exercise shows more effective on Cognition and physical function in older adults than the resistance exercise.

 

Hence , AEROBIC EXERCISE can be used to improve cognition and physical function in older adults. I conclude that Aerobic exercise is more effective than resistance training on cognition and physical function in older adults.

 

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