Exercise Effects on Cognition in Older African Americans: A Pilot Randomized Trial

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Public Health

Background:

• Regular physical activity is linked to reduced cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease risk.
• Older African Americans (AAs) are underrepresented in studies on physical activity and cognitive outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of a 12-week physical activity intervention versus a successful aging educational program on cognitive function in older, cognitively healthy African Americans.

Main Methods:

• 56 sedentary older AAs were randomized into a physical activity group (PAG) or a successful aging group (SAG).
• PAG engaged in supervised and home-based physical activity.
• SAG attended weekly educational sessions on healthy aging topics.
• Cognitive function was assessed using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS).

Main Results:

• The SAG showed significant improvements in global cognition and several cognitive subdomains.
• Global cognition scores increased more in the SAG compared to the PAG (p=0.072).
• SAG females demonstrated greater improvements in global cognition than PAG females and males in either group (p<0.035).

Conclusions:

• A 12-week healthy aging education program, not physical activity alone, improved cognitive function in this cohort.
• Potential factors include insufficient physical activity dosage/duration, application of health information, and social engagement within the SAG.
• Future research should integrate social activities with physical activity for cognitive enhancement in older African Americans.