High-Intensity Interval Training Prevents Age-Related Brain Decline

Research suggests that physical exercise might help reduce the risk of dementia as people age. However, it's been unclear which types and levels of exercise are most effective for improving memory and learning abilities. This study examined the effects of three different 6-month exercise programs on brain function in healthy older adults aged 65-85.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: low-intensity training (LIT), medium-intensity training (MIT), or high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Each person attended 72 supervised exercise sessions over six months. Out of all the participants, 151 completed the entire program. Researchers conducted monthly cognitive tests and blood tests, and they used advanced MRI scans at the start, after six months, and after twelve months to track brain changes.

After six months, only the HIIT group showed significant improvements in memory and learning abilities, specifically in tasks that rely on the hippocampus, a critical brain area for these functions. MRI scans revealed that HIIT helped prevent age-related shrinkage in several brain regions, including the hippocampus, and improved the connectivity between different brain networks. These changes were linked to increased levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.

The improvements in the HIIT group lasted for at least five years, indicating that this type of exercise could provide long-term benefits for brain health in older adults. The study also suggests that changes in certain blood markers could help identify the most effective exercise programs for enhancing cognitive function.

Reference:

Daniel G. Blackmore , Mia A. Schaumberg , Maryam Ziaei , Samuel Belford , Xuan Vinh To , Imogen O’Keeffe , Anne Bernard , Jules Mitchell , Emily Hume , Grace L. Rose , Thomas Shaw , Ashley York , Markus Barth , Elizabeth J. Cooper , Tina L. Skinner , Fatima Nasrallah , Stephan Riek , Perry F. Bartlett. Long-Term Improvement in Hippocampal-Dependent Learning Ability in Healthy, Aged Individuals Following High Intensity Interval Training. Aging and disease. 2024 https://doi.org/10.14336/AD.2024.0642