Efeitos dos treinamentos funcional e aeróbico na função cognitiva e aptidão funcional de mulheres idosas com comprometimento cognitivo leve: um estudo controlado e randomizado

Abstract

Effects of functional and aerobic training on cognitive function and functional fitness in older women with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial. Salviano Resende Silva, São Cristóvão, 2025. Introduction: To counteract age-related cognitive and functional decline, the effectiveness of various training methods has been tested to promote multisystemic adaptations in the body. In this regard, Functional Training (FT) has shown relevant results in the physical fitness of older adults. However, little is known about its impact on the cognitive and functional fitness of older women with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Objective: To compare the effects of functional and aerobic training on the cognitive function and functional fitness of older women with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: Sixty-eight older women completed a 16-week intervention, distributed into three groups: 1) FT (n = 28; 67.5 ± 4.8 years; 29.29 ± 4.39 kg/m2), 2) AT (n = 22; 66.3 ± 4.6 years; 28.71 ± 4.68 kg/m2), and 3) Control Group (CG: n = 18; 67.5 ± 4.6 years; 29.07 ± 6.13 kg/m2). Training sessions occurred three times per week, with a duration of 50 minutes per session for both exercise groups. 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: Both the FT and AT groups showed an increase 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 an increase in executive function (d= 0.63, p= 0.043) and serum BDNF levels (d= 0.95, p= 0.011). Regarding functional fitness, both groups increased their gait and stand-up capacity, as well as cardiorespiratory fitness. Nevertheless, only FT increased dexterity and upper limb strength. No statistically significant differences were observed between the FT and AT groups in the outcome variables. Conclusion: Both FT and AT improve cognitive function and functional fitness in older women with mild cognitive impairment. However, only FT produced significant results in dexterity and upper limb strength, in addition to increasing peripheral BDNF concentration after a 16-week intervention.