A study conducted by researchers from the University of Queensland discovered that high-intensity interval exercise can enhance brain function in older adults for up to 5 years.
Conducted by Emeritus Professor Perry Bartlett and Dr. Daniel Blackmore from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, the study involved volunteers engaging in physical exercise and undergoing brain scans.
The research demonstrated that high-intensity exercise can enhance cognitive abilities in healthy older adults and these benefits can last for as long as 5 years.
Professor Bartlett mentioned that this study is the first controlled one of its kind to reveal that exercise can enhance cognition in healthy older adults and not just delay cognitive decline.
“Just six months of high-intensity interval training can make a significant difference,” Professor Bartlett stated.
Previous pre-clinical research had indicated that exercise can stimulate stem cells and boost neuron production in the hippocampus region of the brain, thus improving cognition.
In this current study, a large group of healthy volunteers aged 65-85 participated in a six-month exercise program followed by biomarker and cognition tests along with high-resolution brain scans.
“Even after 5 years, the participants continued to show improved cognition, regardless of whether they had maintained the exercise regimen,” Professor Bartlett added.
Ageing poses a significant risk factor for dementia, a condition affecting nearly half a million Australians.
“By altering the ageing process and keeping individuals mentally sharp for a longer duration through a simple intervention such as exercise, we could potentially reduce the personal, economic, and societal burdens linked to dementia,” Professor Bartlett emphasized.
Professor Bartlett and Dr. Blackmore collaborated with Honorary Professor Stephan Riek and UQ’s School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences for this study.
Throughout the research, the impact of three exercise intensities was evaluated: low (primarily focusing on motor function, balance, and stretching), medium (brisk treadmill walking), and high (four cycles of high-intensity treadmill running).
Dr. Blackmore noted that only high-intensity interval exercise resulted in sustained cognitive enhancement over 5 years.
“By analyzing high-resolution MRI scans from that group, we observed structural and connectivity changes in the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory and learning,” Dr. Blackmore pointed out.
“Additionally, we identified blood biomarkers whose alterations correlated with cognitive improvements.
“These biomarkers could potentially predict the effectiveness of an individual’s exercise regimen,” Dr. Blackmore elaborated.
Given that one in every three individuals aged 85 years is likely to develop dementia, Dr. Blackmore emphasized the broad impact of this research.
“Our findings can help shape exercise recommendations for older individuals, and future studies could explore different exercise modalities suitable for elderly care,” he suggested.
“We are currently investigating the genetic factors that might influence an individual’s response to exercise to determine those who will benefit from this intervention and those who may not,” Dr. Blackmore added.
“Further research is also needed to explore the use of biomarkers as a diagnostic tool for exercise,” he concluded.
The study was published in Aging and Disease and receives continuous support from the Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation.
