Physical Activity and Cerebral Metabolism in the Elderly: a Randomised Controlled Trial

Physical Activity and Cerebral Metabolism in the Elderly: a Randomised Controlled Trial

Physical activity exerts a variety of long-term health benefits in older adults.This randomised controlled trial investigates the effect of a 12-week physical exercise program on the change in cerebral metabolism as assessed with Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging. Follow-up lasts for 6 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. be above 65 years of age,
2. voluntariness
3. capacity to consent,
4. having passed medical entry exam by the Department of Sports Medicine,

4) regular mental capacity, 5) written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. untreated clotting disorders,
2. musculoskeletal diseases significantly reducing mobility,
3. severe bacterial or viral infections,
4. severe respiratory diseases (Gold IV),
5. acute pulmonary embolism,
6. instable angina pectoris or severe heart failure (NYHA III or IV),
7. severe vascular disease of the extremities or the brain,
8. severe pulmonary-cardiac dysfunction,
9. acute myocardial infarction or early phase of rehabilitation,
10. critical aortal stenosis,
11. severe hypertrophic and obstructive cardiomyopathy,
12. untreated malignant arrhythmias,
13. untreated severe hypertonia,
14. severe pulmonary hypertonia,
15. symptomatic cardiac malformations,
16. cardiac-block grade II or III,
17. left bundle branch block,
18. complex ventricular arrhythmias,
19. Cognitive impairment