The Effects of a Combined Exercise Training on Serum Vitamin D Level and Cognitive Function in Frail Elderly Persons

Abstract

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a combined exercise training on serum vitamin D level and cognitive function in frail elderly persons. METHODS A total of 25 elderly persons aged 79.6±3.8 years were voluntarily recruited from local community centers in S city of Gyeonggi-Do. The exercise group (n=12) underwent a combined exercise intervention consisting of outdoor walking and resistance exercise using a Thera band, which was performed at an intensity of 40-50% of age-based target heart rates with duration of 60-minute per session and frequency of 2 days per week for 24 weeks. The control group (n=13) was asked to maintain their sedentary life styles. Two-way ANOVAs with repeated measures were used to test significant time by group interactions for measured variables at α=.05. RESULTS The results of the study were as follows: 1) Significant group by time interactions were found for %body fat (p=.014), lean body mass (p=.036), cognitive function (p<.001), and serum vitamin D (p<.001); the exercise group had significant improvements in those variables, as compared to the control group. 2) Pearson correlation analyses showed that changed serum vitamin D level was significantly and positively association with changed cognitive function (r=.664, p<.001). CONCLUSIONS In summary, the current findings of the study suggest that participating in a combined exercise consisting of outdoor walking and resistance exercise provides a safe and effective means against cognitive decline and vitamin D deficiency with aging.

Keywords

• combined exercise
• vitamin d
• cognitive function
• dwelling frail elderly