Comparative efficacy of exercise interventions for cognitive health in older adults: A network meta-analysis

IF 3.9

Experimental gerontology Pub Date : 2025-05-02 DOI:10.1016/j.exger.2025.112768

Jinhao Zhang , Wei Ye , Wang Li , Fan Zhang , Zhijian Wu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Previous studies have consistently demonstrated that exercise mitigates cognitive decline in older adults. However, the most effective types of exercise, along with optimal frequency and duration of interventions, remain inadequately defined. To address these gaps, we conducted a network meta-analysis synthesizing direct and indirect evidence from existing literature to identify the most effective exercise interventions for enhancing cognitive function in older adults.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search across databases including PubMed and Web of Science to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the impact of various exercise interventions on cognitive function in older adults. We assessed the quality of included studies and performed a traditional meta-analysis with Review Manager 5.3. Subsequently, a network meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 17.0 to evaluate the effects of different exercise modalities on cognitive outcomes, specifically memory, inhibitory control, and task-switching abilities.

Results

A total of 37 studies encompassing 2585 older adults met the inclusion criteria. The network meta-analysis revealed that resistance training exerted the strongest effect on overall cognitive improvement. Aerobic exercise, multimodal exercise, and physical-mental training followed in effectiveness. Specifically, resistance training significantly enhanced inhibitory control compared to high-intensity interval training (HIIT), aerobic exercise, and other modalities. Physical-mental training emerged as the most effective intervention for improving task-switching ability and demonstrated superior efficacy in enhancing working memory compared to aerobic exercise. Conversely, aerobic exercise showed the strongest effect on memory function, outperforming resistance training, multimodal exercise, and physical-mental training.

Conclusion

Resistance training is the most effective exercise modality for enhancing overall cognitive function and inhibitory control in older adults. Physical-mental training offers the greatest benefits for improving working memory and task-switching ability, while aerobic exercise is most beneficial for enhancing memory function. Based on these findings, the recommended exercise protocols are: Resistance Training: 12 weeks, 2–3 times per week, 45 min per session. Aerobic Exercise: 21 weeks, twice per week, 60 min per session. These tailored exercise interventions can inform public health strategies and clinical practices aimed at optimizing cognitive health in the aging population.

Registration

The protocol for this review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024597545).

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运动干预对老年人认知健康的比较疗效：网络荟萃分析

之前的研究一致表明，运动可以减轻老年人的认知能力下降。然而，最有效的运动类型，以及干预的最佳频率和持续时间，仍然没有得到充分的定义。为了解决这些差距，我们进行了一项网络荟萃分析，综合了现有文献中的直接和间接证据，以确定增强老年人认知功能的最有效的运动干预措施。方法我们对PubMed和Web of Science等数据库进行了系统检索，以确定评估各种运动干预对老年人认知功能影响的随机对照试验（rct）。我们评估纳入研究的质量，并使用Review Manager 5.3进行传统的meta分析。随后，使用Stata 17.0进行网络荟萃分析，以评估不同运动方式对认知结果的影响，特别是记忆、抑制控制和任务转换能力。结果共有37项研究，包括2585名老年人符合纳入标准。网络荟萃分析显示，阻力训练对整体认知改善的影响最大。有氧运动、多模式运动和身心训练的效果次之。具体来说，与高强度间歇训练（HIIT）、有氧运动和其他方式相比，阻力训练显著增强了抑制控制。与有氧运动相比，身心训练是提高任务转换能力的最有效干预手段，在增强工作记忆方面表现出更优越的效果。相反，有氧运动对记忆功能的影响最大，优于阻力训练、多模式运动和身心训练。结论抗阻训练是提高老年人整体认知功能和抑制控制最有效的运动方式。身心训练对提高工作记忆和任务转换能力最有利，而有氧运动对提高记忆功能最有利。基于这些发现，推荐的运动方案是：阻力训练：12周，每周2-3次，每次45分钟。有氧运动：21周，每周两次，每次60分钟。这些量身定制的运动干预可以为旨在优化老年人群认知健康的公共卫生策略和临床实践提供信息。注册本综述的方案已在PROSPERO注册（CRD42024597545）。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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