Effects of Acute Exercise Intensity on Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

NCT05131217 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: HSR200454
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 13
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will analyze the influence of acute bout exercise intensities (continuous moderate and HIIT) on middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) to identify which intensity elicits the greatest increase in CBF in older adults (65+ yrs). Additionally, this study will help verify positive correlations between MCAv and cognitive function. These findings are important in determining the optimal exercise prescription for increased resilience against the age-related cognitive degradation.

Conditions

Aging Well

Keywords

MCAv; Working Memory; Cognition; Exercise Intensity; Cerebral Blood Flow; HIIT

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Middle Cerebral Artery Velocity (MCAv)

  Blood flow velocity measured in the Middle Cerebral Artery via Transcranial Doppler probe secured to the right temporal window.

  Measured continuously over the course of each experimental session (i.e. 2-3 hours)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Working Memory

  4 individual measurements taken during each experimental session with each session lasting up to about 3 hours. 1 pre-intervention measurement and 3 post-intervention measurements spaced at least 15min apart

• Internal Carotid Artery (ICA) Diameter

  4 individual measurements taken during each experimental session with each session lasting up to about 3 hours. 1 pre-intervention measurement and 3 post-intervention measurements spaced at least 15min apart

• Internal Carotid Artery (ICA) Pulse Velocity

  4 individual measurements taken during each experimental session with each session lasting up to about 3 hours. 1 pre-intervention measurement and 3 post-intervention measurements spaced at least 15min apart

Other Outcomes (6)

• Heart Rate

  Measured continuously over the course of each experimental session (i.e. 2-3 hours)

• End Tidal CO2 (ETCO2)

  Measured continuously over the course of each experimental session (i.e. 2-3 hours)

• Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

  Measured continuously over the course of each experimental session (i.e. 2-3 hours)

Study Arms (3)

Acute bout of Continuous Moderate Intensity Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Acute bout of Continuous Moderate Intensity Exercise

Acute bout of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Acute bout of High Intensity Interval Training

Control

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Control

Interventions

Acute bout of Continuous Moderate Intensity Exercise OTHER

In this experimental intervention subjects will cycle continuously at moderate intensity (VO2 corresponding to lactate threshold) until a 200 kcal equivalent energy expenditure is reached.

Acute bout of Continuous Moderate Intensity Exercise

Acute bout of High Intensity Interval Training OTHER

In this experimental invention subjects will alternate between 1 minute of high intensity cycling (watts corresponding to 85% VO2peak) and 1 minute of low intensity cycling (watts corresponding to 35-40% VO2peak) until a 200 kcal equivalent energy expenditure is reached.

Also known as: HIIT

Acute bout of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Control OTHER

In this intervention placebo, subjects will lay down on a flat, soft surface for 30 minutes in a dimly light room. They will not be allowed to use any electronic devices or read during this time to avoid potentially influencing continuous data recording.

Also known as: Rest

Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• + years of age
• Comfortable with experiencing exercise-induced fatigue
• Willingness and ability to comply with scheduled visits and study procedures
• Able to provide consent on their own behalf
• Type 2 Diabetics accepted

You may not qualify if:

• Competitive athlete (Recreationally active is okay but no more than 3 days/week of structured exercise)
• VO2max below 18 ml/kg/min in men, 15ml/kg/min in women (minimum thresholds for independent living seniors)
• Inability of study staff to acquire signal from the MCA using TCD
• Diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, multiple sclerosis, or psychiatric illness (unless mild depression or anxiety)
• History of brain damage/stroke/concussions
• Cardiovascular Disease, Pulmonary Disease, or dependence of supplemental O2
• Type 2 Diabetics who aren't cleared by the study physician during the first screening visit (HbA1C \> 8.5%)
• Neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunctions impairing one from cycling
• Changes in vasoactive medication dose or quantity, recently prior to or during the study time course, or inability to maintain regular timed ingestion of vasoactive medication
• Currently involved in Estrogen or Testosterone Replacement Therapy
• Unable to abstain from food consumption (3hrs), caffeine/alcohol consumption (12hrs), and vigorous exercise (24hrs) prior to experimental procedures

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Virginia: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Virginia; Kinesiology Labs

Charlottesville, Virginia, 22903, United States

Location

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MeSH Terms

Interventions

RE1-silencing transcription factor

Study Officials

• Jason Allen, PhD

  University of Virginia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The individual analyzing study data will be blind to subject allocation.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor of Exercise Physiology at the University of Virginia, Director of the Exercise Physiology Graduate Program & Co-Director of the Applied Metabolism & Physiology Lab

Model Details: This is a repeated measures cross-over design, in which all subjects will complete all acute exercise intensity conditions: HIIT, continuous moderate intensity at lactate threshold (LT), and rest (control). The order of the acute treatment bouts will be randomized for each subject over three experimental visits (not counting the screening visit).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 11, 2021
• First Posted: November 23, 2021
• Study Start: January 14, 2022
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2023
• Study Completion: May 1, 2023
• Last Updated: November 29, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)