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Effectiveness of the Combined Exercise and Cognitive Training System in Enhancing Frontal Lobe Function in Older
Kuninori Suzuki1,2, Kazuya Saita1, Michiaki Otani3
1Department of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan, hiroshima-u.ac.jp.
Biomed Research International
|March 24, 2026
Summary
A combined exercise and cognitive training system did not show additional benefits over aerobic exercise for older adults' cognitive function or brain activity. Further research with longer interventions is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Aging is associated with cognitive decline, particularly in executive functions managed by the frontal lobe.
- Driving-related cognitive and physical functions are crucial for maintaining independence in older adults.
- Interventions combining physical exercise and cognitive training are explored to mitigate age-related cognitive decline.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of a driving-related combined exercise and cognitive training system with aerobic exercise on frontal lobe function in older adults.
- To assess the impact of the intervention on cognitive performance and frontopolar cortex (FPC) hemodynamics.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 90 community-dwelling older adults.
- Intervention group: 6-week combined exercise-cognitive multitask training.
- Control group: Matched-intensity aerobic exercises.
- Cognitive function assessed via Trail Making Test (TMT) A/B and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB).
- FPC hemodynamics measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in TMT-A/B or FAB scores between groups post-intervention.
- fNIRS revealed no significant differences in FPC hemodynamic reactivity between the intervention and control groups.
- The multitask training system did not confer additional benefits beyond aerobic exercise in this short-duration protocol.
Conclusions:
- The tested multitask training system, under a low-intensity, short-duration protocol, did not provide superior cognitive or hemodynamic benefits compared to aerobic exercise alone in older adults.
- Future research should consider longer intervention durations and diverse populations to determine the potential advantages of driving behavior-related multitask training.
- Aerobic exercise alone may be sufficient for some cognitive benefits in older adults within a limited timeframe.
