Strength and Endurance Exercises Combined Effects on Cognitive Function in Older Adults.

Aging is associated with a decline in exercise capacity and cardiovascular fitness which combined has been shown to negatively impact cognitive function in older adults. Endurance exercise is a common strategy employed to promote gains in both exercise capacity and cardiorespiratory fitness and is associated with an increase in cognitive function in older adults. There is a limited understanding of the effects of combined endurance and strength exercise on exercise capacity and cognitive function in older adults. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the effects of a six-week community-based exercise program that consists of strength and endurance exercises on exercise capacity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cognitive function in independent older adults. Participants were enrolled in the University of Lynchburg Active Aging Program which consisted of weekly goals of 150-minutes of endurance exercise and two days of strength training exercises that targeted the major muscle groups. Exercise capacity and cardiorespiratory fitness were assessed through the 6-Minute Walk Test. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment measured cognitive function before and after the 6-week exercise program.