Premium
Exercise Mode Moderates the Relationship Between Mobility and Basal Ganglia Volume in Healthy Older Adults
Author(s) -
Nagamatsu Lindsay S.,
Weinstein Andrea M.,
Erickson Kirk I.,
Fanning Jason,
Awick Elizabeth A.,
Kramer Arthur F.,
McAuley Edward
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.13882
Subject(s) - putamen , basal ganglia , medicine , functional magnetic resonance imaging , magnetic resonance imaging , caudate nucleus , physical medicine and rehabilitation , balance (ability) , physical therapy , central nervous system , radiology
Objectives To examine whether 12 months of aerobic training ( AT ) moderated the relationship between change in mobility and change in basal ganglia volume than balance and toning ( BAT ) exercises in older adults. Design Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Setting Champaign‐Urbana, Illinois. Participants Community‐dwelling older adults (N = 101; mean age 66.4). Intervention Twelve‐month exercise trial with two groups: AT and BAT . Measurements Mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test. Basal ganglia (putamen, caudate nucleus, pallidum) was segmented from T1‐weighted magnetic resonance images using the Oxford Centre for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain Software Library Integrated Registration and Segmentation Tool. Measurements were obtained at baseline and trial completion. Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to examine whether exercise mode moderates the relationship between change in mobility and change in basal ganglia volume over 12 months. Age, sex, and education were included as covariates. Results Exercise significantly moderated the relationship between change in mobility and change in left putamen volume. Specifically, for the AT group, volume of the left putamen did not change, regardless of change in mobility. Similarly, in the BAT group, those who improved their mobility most over 12 months had no change in left putamen volume, although left putamen volume of those who declined in mobility levels decreased significantly. Conclusion The primary finding that older adults who engaged in 12 months of BAT training and improved mobility exhibited maintenance of brain volume in an important region responsible for motor control provides compelling evidence that such exercises can contribute to the promotion of functional independence and healthy aging.