AUTHOR=Castaño Luz Albany Arcila , Castillo de Lima Vivian , Barbieri João Francisco , Lucena Erick Guilherme Peixoto de , Gáspari Arthur Fernandes , Arai Hidenori , Teixeira Camila Vieira Ligo , Coelho-Júnior Hélio José , Uchida Marco Carlos TITLE=Resistance Training Combined With Cognitive Training Increases Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Improves Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology VOLUME=13 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.870561 DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2022.870561 ISSN=1664-1078 ABSTRACT=Background

The present study compared the effects of a traditional resistance training (TRT) and resistance training combined with cognitive task (RT + CT) on body composition, physical performance, cognitive function, and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) levels in older adults.

Methods

Thirty community-dwelling older adults were randomized into TRT (70.0 ± 8.1; 25% men) and RT + CT (66.3 ± 4.6; 31% men). Exercise groups performed a similar resistance training (RT) program, twice a week over 16 weeks. Cognitive Training involved performing verbal fluency simultaneously with RT. Exercise sessions (eight resistance exercises) were performed 2–3 sets, 8–15 repetitions at 60%–70% of 1-repetition maximum (1RM). Body composition, physical function, cognitive performance, and BDNF levels were assessed before and after intervention period.

Results

The physical performance was similarly improved in response to both TRT and RT + CT (p = 0.001). However, exclusive improvements on cognitive function (p < 0.001) and BDNF levels (p = 0.001) were observed only after RT + CT.

Conclusion

The RT program associated with a cognitive task, improved physical and cognitive performance in healthy older adults.