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Optimizing Combined Physical and Cognitive Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.
Sponsor: University Ghent
Summary
This laboratory-based interventional study aims to determine which combination of physical activity intensity and cognitive activity difficulty yields the greatest acute cognitive benefits in community-dwelling older adults. The main question it aims to answer is: \- Which combination of physical and cognitive activity results in the greatest short-term improvement in cognitive functioning? Researchers will compare four different combinations of physical intensity and cognitive task difficulty to determine whether one combination stands out. In addition, the study examines whether these effects differ depending on baseline cardiorespiratory fitness. Participants will: * undergo a preparatory phase in which their cardiorespiratory fitness, individualized physical activity intensity levels, and cognitive activity difficulty levels are established * visit the laboratory four times, with one week between visits, to complete each combination of physical and cognitive activity (light vs. moderate physical activity × easy vs. challenging cognitive activity) * complete cognitive tests immediately before and after each condition
Official title: Determining the Optimal Combination of Physical and Cognitive Activity for Acute Cognitive Benefits in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
65 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
53
Start Date
2026-02-02
Completion Date
2026-05-13
Last Updated
2026-06-05
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Light physical activity + easy cognitive activity
Participants walk on a treadmill at an individualized light physical activity intensity (30-39% of heart rate reserve) while performing cognitive tasks individually classified as easy.
Light physical activity + challenging cognitive activity
Participants walk on a treadmill at an individualized light physical activity intensity (30-39% of heart rate reserve) while performing cognitive tasks individually classified as challenging.
Moderate physical activity + easy cognitive activity
Participants walk on a treadmill at an individualized moderate physical activity intensity (40-59% of heart rate reserve) while performing cognitive tasks individually classified as easy.
Moderate physical activity + challenging cognitive activity
Participants walk on a treadmill at an individualized moderate physical activity intensity (40-59% of heart rate reserve) while performing cognitive tasks individually classified as challenging.
Locations (1)
University Ghent
Ghent, Belgium