Researchers: Anette Arild, Torgil Vangberg, Hanne Nikkels, Stian Lydersen, Ulrik Wisløff, Dorthe Stensvold, Asta K Håberg
We investigated if a five-year supervised exercise intervention with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus control; physical activity according to national guidelines, attenuated the growth of white matter hyperintensities (WMH). We hypothesized that supervised exercise, in particular HIIT, reduced WMH growth. Older adults from the general population participating in the RCT Generation 100 Study were scanned at 3T MRI at baseline (age 70-77), and after 1-, 3- and 5-years. At each follow-up, cardiorespiratory fitness was measured with ergospirometry, and physical activity plus clinical data collected. Manually delineated total WMH, periventricular (PWMH), deep (DWMH), and automated total white matter hypointensity volumes were obtained. No group by time interactions were present in linear mixed model analyses with the different WMH measurements as outcomes. In the combined exercise (MICT&HIIT) group, a significant group by time interaction was uncovered for PWMH volume, with a larger increase in the MICT&HIIT group. Cardiorespiratory fitness at the follow-ups or change in cardiorespiratory fitness over time were not associated with any WMH measure. Contrary to our hypothesis, taking part in MICT or HIIT over a five-year period did not attenuate WMH growth compared to being in a control group following national physical activity guidelines.
References
- Fitness, but not physical activity, is related to functional integrity of brain networks associated with aging.
- High-intensity interval exercise and cerebrovascular health: curiosity, cause, and consequence.
- 5 Years of Exercise Intervention Did Not Benefit Cognition Compared to the Physical Activity Guidelines in Older Adults, but Higher Cardiorespiratory Fitness Did. A Generation 100 Substudy.
- Effect of 5 Years of Exercise Intervention at Different Intensities on Brain Structure in Older Adults from the General Population: A Generation 100 Substudy.
- Physical Activity and Brain Health.
Topic: Pet therapy in aging