The Effect of Physical Activity on the Brain

Phase 3

• Conditions: Aerobic Exercise; Unchanged Condition; Anaerobic Exercise
• Interventions: Behavioral: exercise

• Registration Number: NCT01475396
• Lead Sponsor: University Hospital Muenster

Brief Summary

Physical activity is thought to increase overall body functions and to decrease cardiovascular and stroke risk factors. Now the question arose, wether enhanced exercise could also exert positive influence on cognition in the aging brain. Therefore, 50 to 80 years old healthy subjects take part in a prospective study with regular sports activity during 6 months. Cognitive functions are detected with sensitive neuropsychological outcome measures, further investigations include MRT of the head, lactat- and other physical measures as well as detailed serum profiles. As a hypothesis, enhanced physical activity is suggested to predict better cognitive performance.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2006-03
• Study First Submitted: 2011-11-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-11-16
• Study First Posted: 2011-11-21
• Primary Completion: 2012-03
• Status Verified: 2012-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2012-06-18
• Last Update Posted: 2012-06-19
• Study Completion: 2012-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 120

Inclusion Criteria

• 50-80 years old
• healthy
• lesser activity

Exclusion Criteria

• regular physical activity
• diabetes
• stroke
• heavy smoking, drinking,
• BMI < 20
• MMSE < 25

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Aerobic Exercise	exercise	-
Anaerobic Exercise	exercise	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change of reaction times in ms in a motor learning task after 6 months of intervention/control condition	6 months
Change of delayed memory scores in #of words in a Verbal learning task after 6 months of intervention/control condition	6 months
Change of performance in ms in a reaction time task after 6 months of intervention/control condition	6 months
Change of relative regional grey matter volumes in % measured by T1-weighted MRI after 6 months of intervention/control condition	6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change of physical measurements (ECG)/fitness assessments (lactate) after 6 months of intervention/control condition	6 months
Change of BDNF blood serum levels in ng/dl after 6 months of intervention/control condition	6 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospital of Muenster; 🇩🇪 Muenster, NRW, Germany