Feasibility of a 26-week exercise program to improve brain health in older adults at-risk for type 2 diabetes: A pilot study

Abstract Objectives Older adults at risk for type 2 diabetes (i.e. overweight individuals or those with prediabetes) experience accelerated cognitive and brain deficits. Aerobic training is known to improve these deficits, but the effects of resistance training are relatively unknown. Before conducting a large-scale, randomized, controlled trial to assess the effects of resistance training, we first conducted a pilot feasibility study to examine recruitment, attendance and retention rates in this population. Methods Program participants (age 60 to 80 years, mean age 68.7±5.7, 50% females) at risk for type 2 diabetes (body mass index of ≥25 or fasting blood glucose of 6.1 to Results We recruited 72 older adults (total number enrolled = 24) over 17 months. Program retention and attendance were 95.8% and 84.4%, respectively. Program participants and research assistants expressed a high level of study enjoyment, and suggestions on how to improve study procedures were provided. Conclusions Based on our findings, a large-scale study in this at-risk group of older adults is feasible, and key strategies to improving future trials were identified.