Functional training improves cognitive function, functional fitness, and BDNF levels in older women with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial

Salviano Resende-Silva^1*Antônio Neto Resende²Alan Bruno Silva Vasconcelos³Marcos Raphael Pereira-Monteiro⁴Alan Pantoja-Cardoso⁵Laíza Ellen Santana Santos⁶Newton Benites Carvalho Lima⁶José Lucas de Jesus Santos⁷José Carlos Aragão-Santos⁶Dulce Marta Schimieguel⁷José Ronaldo dos Santos⁸Marzo Edir Da Silva-Grigoletto^10,6,9

• ¹Department of Physiology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil
• ²Estácio University Center of Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil
• ³Department of Health Sciences, Federal University Of Sergipe, Lagarto, Brazil
• ⁴Postgraduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil
• ⁵Department of Physical Education, State University of Pará, Pará, Altarmira, Brazil
• ⁶Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil
• ⁷Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil
• ⁸Department of bioscience, Federal University of Sergipe, Sergipe, Itabaiana, Brazil
• ⁹Postgraduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Sergipe,, São Cristóvão, Brazil
• ¹⁰Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil

To oppose the aging-related cognitive and functional decline, the efficacy of different training methods has been tested, aiming body multisystemic adaptations. In this sense, Functional Training (FT) has shown relevant results in the physical fitness of older adults. However, little is known about its impact on older women with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Objective: To compare the effects of functional and aerobic training on cognitive function and functional fitness in older women with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: Sixty-eight older women completed a 16-week intervention through three groups: 1) Functional Training (FT: n= 28; mean age= 67.5 ± 4.8 years), 2) Aerobic Training (AT: n= 22; mean age= 66.3 ± 4.6 years), and 3) Control Group (CG: n= 18; mean age= 67.5 ± 4.6 years). The training sessions did occur three times per week, with a duration of 50 minutes per session for both exercised groups. The training load was quantified daily in the FT group. Cognitive function, serum levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and functional fitness were assessed pre-and post-intervention. Results: FT and AT groups showed improvements in cognitive status (FT: d= 0.99, p≤ 0.001; AT: d= 0.97, p≤ 0.001) and semantic memory (FT: d= 0.95, p< 0.001; AT: d= 0.97, p< 0.001); however, only FT led to improvements in executive function (d= 0.63, p= 0.043) and increased serum BDNF levels (d= 0.95, p= 0.011). Regarding functional fitness, both groups showed improvements in gait and stand up ability, as well as cardiorespiratory fitness. However, only FT improved dexterity and upper limb strength. No statistically significant differences were observed between the FT and AT groups in the measured outcomes. Conclusion: Both FT and AT improve cognitive function and functional fitness in older women with mild cognitive impairment. However, in addition to eliciting a greater magnitude of effects on some outcomes, FT was the only intervention to modulate peripheral BDNF concentration.