Multicomponent exercise improved cognitive flexibility and muscular fitness in community-dwelling older adults

ObjectiveCognitive flexibility is the ability to transition between various tasks flexibly, which declines in aging. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to investigate the effect of a 12-week multicomponent exercise intervention on cognitive flexibility and attention, measured by color trail test (CTT)-1, CTT-2, and CTT 2-1 difference, in community-dwelling older adults. The relationship between cognitive flexibility and muscular fitness was also examined.MethodsThe participants were assigned to either the exercise group (<i>n</i> = 41, aged 70.6 ± 5.9 years) or the control group (<i>n</i> = 18, aged 67.9 ± 4.9 years). The exercise group participated in a 90-minute multicomponent exercise session, including endurance, resistance, and stretching training, twice a week for 12 weeks. Participants in the control group maintained their sedentary lifestyle. CTT and muscular fitness, including 30-second arm curl, 30-second chair stand, and 2-minute step tests, were measured before and after the intervention.ResultsA significant group×time interaction effect was found in CTT-2, CTT 2-1 difference, chair stand, and step test. After the intervention, the exercise group showed a significantly better cognitive flexibility, indicated by faster completion time in CTT-2 (before: 140.3 ± 60.1 seconds, after: 127.0 ± 60.6 seconds) and improved CTT 2-1 difference (before: 82.8 ± 49.5 seconds, after: 72.2 ± 49.0 seconds). The exercise group also improved the number of repetitions in chair stand (before: 18.5 ± 5.0, after: 22.8 ± 5.5) and step test (before: 108.9 ± 16.2, after: 126.2 ± 19.0). The cognitive and muscular performance remained unchanged in the control group. Moreover, better performance in the 30-second chair stand test was associated with faster completion time in CTT-1 at baseline (<i>r</i> = -0.296).ConclusionsThe amelioration in cognitive flexibility coincided with improvements in muscular fitness after a 12-week multicomponent exercise intervention in older adults. Better muscular strength was associated with higher cognitive flexibility at the baseline.