Brisk Walking and Baduanjin Improve Inhibitory Function in Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment

Effects of Single-Session Brisk Walking and Baduanjin Exercise on Inhibitory Function in Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment: An Exploration of Resting-State EEG Mechanisms

This study aims to investigate the acute effects of single-session different forms of aerobic exercise (brisk walking and Baduanjin) on inhibitory function and resting-state EEG power in older adults with cognitive impairment, providing scientific evidence for developing exercise intervention programs for this population.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following core questions:

1. Can a single session of brisk walking and a single session of Baduanjin exercise improve reaction time and accuracy on the Stroop color-word task in older adults with cognitive impairment?
2. Are there differential effects on inhibitory function between the two exercise modalities?
3. Does a single exercise session induce immediate changes in resting-state EEG power spectrum across multiple frequency bands (δ, θ, α, β)?
4. Are changes in resting-state EEG power associated with improvements in inhibitory function?

Forty-five older adults with cognitive impairment will be randomly assigned to three groups (n=15 each): brisk walking group, Baduanjin group, and control group (quiet seated rest). Participants in the brisk walking and Baduanjin groups will each perform a single 30-minute moderate-intensity exercise session. All participants will complete the Stroop color-word task (assessing reaction time and accuracy under both congruent and incongruent conditions) and undergo a 5-minute eyes-closed resting-state EEG recording before and immediately after the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 60 years, regardless of gender;
• Right-handed;
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≤ 25;
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision;
• Normal hearing;
• Signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of severe cognitive impairment or other neurodegenerative diseases;
• Presence of psychiatric disorders, or current or long-term use of psychotropic medications;
• Presence of severe cardiovascular diseases (e.g., heart failure, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, etc.);
• Presence of severe muscle diseases, or a history of lower limb injury within the past six months that would preclude the ability to stand for extended periods.