The Cognitive and spOrt Virtual EPIC Training Study

The Cognitive and spOrt Virtual EPIC Training Study: INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF HOME-BASED EXERCISE AND COGNITIVE TRAINING

The proposed COVEPIC trial is designed to document the effects of remote monitoring of physical exercise and home-based cognitive training on cognitive and physical functions in older adults.

Due to the actual pandemic of COVID-19 around the world, social distancing is recommended, which causes a reduction of social interaction and physical activity. Therefore, this health crisis may have collateral effects on cognitive, physical, and psychological health, especially in elderly people who are more likely to be isolated, and for whom social distancing is of paramount importance. Physical exercise practice has been demonstrated to improve cognitive functioning, along with mobility and physical capacity, and to promote psychological well-being. This is the reason why governmental health authorities, as well as the scientific community recommend to stay physically active, especially in this pandemic period. However, in the current context full-time physical training in sport centres cannot be largely promoted. Effective solutions to help older adults in maintaining regular and efficient physical exercise while maintaining social distancing, are thus needed. Consequently, the current project proposes first to investigate the potential of a remote monitoring of physical activity to promote cognitive, physical and psychological health of older adults. Also, considering the added benefits of combining cognitive training to physical exercise to further enhance health and cognition in seniors, this project also addresses the added benefits of a multidomain intervention combining a physical exercise intervention with a home-based cognitive training.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult aged 50 and older
• Have access to internet
• Have access to a tablet (i.e. iPad or Android) or a computer

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-cardiopulmonary limitation to exercise (e.g., arthritis)
• Severe exercise intolerance
• Respiratory disease (e.g., asthma, COPD, COVID-19)
• Mini Mental Scale Examination (MMSE) telephone version lower than 19/23
• Diagnostic of cardiovascular disease (e.g., chronic systolic and diastolic heart failure, somatic aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation, malignant arrhythmias, documented atherosclerotic disease).