Impact of an online-guided physical activity intervention on cognition, resting-state brain connectivity, and the gut microbiome in healthy older adults-a randomized controlled trial
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Physical activity may enhance cognition in older adults, yet evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on mechanistic pathways remains inconclusive.
METHODS
This single-blinded RCT examined the effects of an 8-week, online-guided, multicomponent physical activity intervention on cognitive function, resting-state functional brain connectivity (rsFC), and the gut microbiome in 92 healthy older adults (M age = 66.35). Participants were randomized to a physical activity group performing moderate-to-vigorous-intensity aerobic, coordination, and balance exercises, or to an active control group engaging in progressive muscle relaxation and listening to aging-related podcasts. The primary outcome was change in visual processing speed (items/s) from pre- to post-assessment. Secondary outcomes included changes in additional cognitive measures, rsFC, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and the gut microbiome.
RESULTS
The primary outcome showed no significant between-group differences. However, exploratory analyses revealed potential improvements in inhibition (η2 = 0.061; p = 0.025) and visual memory (η2 = 0.047; p = 0.040) in the physical activity group. This group also showed a potential increase in rsFC between visual and dorsal attention networks (η2 = 0.101; p = 0.009). Visual memory gains correlated with improvements in rsFC (p = 0.013). No between-group differences were observed in CRF or gut microbiome composition.
DISCUSSION
While the primary outcome (visual…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 92 participants or records.
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