Overview
The goal of this clinical trial is to test a 6-month, twice a week, moderate intensity exercise and coaching program (an in-person group and a distance group) for adults with mild-moderate cognitive impairments living in South Carolina. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Is the program practical to conduct, and it is acceptable and enjoyable? The hypothesis is that it will be possible to recruit participants, obtain the desired dosage of moderate intensity fitness and strength training twice a week.
- Are their changes at 3-months and 6-months in endurance, mobility, cognitive function and perception of cognitive function? The hypotheses are that endurance, strength and mobility will improve and cognitive measures will not decline (remain the same or improve).
Participants will exercise twice a week in-person with a coach or at a distance location with coaching support for six months.
Description
In person Exercise Group:
The exercise program interventions will be individualized based on exercise history, and initial assessments by the primary investigator (a physical therapist). The program will focus on building up to 30 minutes of moderate intensity endurance activity and up to 30 minutes of strength training, balance training and mobility training. Participants will attend times per week for six months. Coaches will provide exercise plans, and monitor and provide feedback as participants exercise. Participants will wear a heart rate monitor to record exertion. Participants will be able to continuously attend as long as they are attending regularly.
Distance Exercise Group:
The exercise program interventions will be individualized based on exercise history, and initial assessments by the primary investigator (a physical therapist) which will occur in person. The program will focus on building up to 30 minutes of moderate intensity endurance activity and up to 30 minutes of strength training, balance training and mobility training. Participants will exercise on their own 2 x a week for 6 months.Coaches will prescribe an exercise program that can be performed at a local fitness facility or at home and it will be shared through a coaching software. Participants will log their exercises either in the coaching software or in paper formats, have weekly check-ins with fitness center coaches and have options to message the fitness center coaches with questions. Participants who do not log any activity and miss weekly check-ins will have follow up from fitness center coaches.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- medical diagnosis of mild-moderate cognitive impairment
- medically cleared for exercise
- able to follow 2-step commands Exclusion criteria are significant pain with movement (>5/10)
Exclusion Criteria:
- significant pain with movement (>5/10)
- severe balance impairments or lack of independence on and off exercise equipment (by physical therapist judgement).