Fit4Alz - Fitness for Alzheimer

Alzheimer is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to progressive cognitive decline. At the beginning, the patient has short-term memory loss and, with its progression, semantic memory disorders, difficulty recalling names and communicating, attention deficits, damages in visual and spatial skills and executive functions, as well as gait impairments. This multidisciplinary research project integrates experts in Alzheimer's Disease (AD), sport scientists and neuroscientists committed to help subjects that have a propensity to develop AD and delay this condition through an intervention program combining cognition and physical exercise. The main aim is to determine the impact of training programs in AD symptoms. Additionally, a software with attractive games will be developed and used as a complement to training programs, since these tools seem to have a better impact on cognitive development. Afterwards, we will recruit, among a group of elderly, those with cognitive impairment on the MoCA test. The selected sample will be evaluated on their physical fitness through the Senior Fitness Test. Two different interventions will be conducted. In the first intervention, subjects will be randomly distributed in four different training/intervention groups: i) aerobic; ii) strength; iii) aerobic and cognitive; and iv) strength and cognitive. The results from the intervention will be analysed, to discuss possible adjustments to the initial training programs. In the second intervention, the refined training programs will be implemented. The results from the interventions will contribute to define exercise guidelines for this specific population. The guidelines will also be disseminated through training of exercise professionals, seminars, nursing homes, and scientific publications. This project could create a great impact on the prevention of this disease, improving the quality of life of AD patients and/or delay their symptoms, as no cure is known for that disease.