Effect of a 24-week resistance exercise intervention on cognitive function in cognitively normal older adults: The AGUEDA randomized controlled trial.

The resistance exercise group showed significant within-group improvements in overall executive function, but no significant between-group difference compared to controls.

• Within-group improvement in overall EF: SMD = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.65
• Between-group difference was not significant: SMD = 0.13, p = 0.37
• 90 participants with mean age 71.8 years, 57.8% female were randomized to RE or control group
• Trial duration was 24 weeks

Resistance exercise significantly improved attentional/inhibitory control compared to the control group.

• SMD = 0.43, p < 0.001 for attentional/inhibitory control in the RE group vs. control
• This was the only cognitive domain showing a significant between-group effect
• No effects were observed in other cognitive domains (all p > 0.12)

Resistance exercise did not significantly improve episodic memory, processing speed, visuospatial processing, or working memory compared to controls.

• All between-group p-values for non-attentional domains were > 0.12
• Domains assessed included episodic memory, processing speed, visuospatial processing, and working memory
• Assessments were conducted at baseline and at 24 weeks

Moderation of cognitive outcomes by age, education level, and subjective cognitive decline was observed.

• Subgroup moderation analyses revealed differential effects based on age, education, and subjective cognitive decline
• Participants with higher subjective cognitive decline may yield greater benefits from RE
• The authors identified these as 'vulnerable subgroups' that may benefit more from personalized exercise interventions

Resistance exercise improved muscular strength, which was associated with gains in executive function, episodic memory, and working memory.

• Gains in muscular strength from the RE intervention were linked to improvements in EF, episodic memory, and working memory
• This association suggests muscular strength may be a mechanistic pathway linking RE to cognitive outcomes
• The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05186090)

The AGUEDA trial enrolled cognitively normal older adults in a randomized controlled design to test a 24-week resistance exercise program.

• 90 participants were randomized to RE or control groups
• Mean age was 71.8 years and 57.8% were female
• Participants were cognitively normal at baseline
• Multiple cognitive domains were assessed at baseline and 24 weeks including EF, episodic memory, processing speed, visuospatial processing, and working memory