Do Exercise and Dietary Changes Affect Cognitive Performance in Older Adults?

In this single-center, randomized clinical trial, researchers examined whether aerobic exercise and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet followed for 6 months influenced cognitive performance in 160 sedentary participants aged 55 or older with cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive impairment without dementia.

Participants were randomized into groups of aerobic exercise only, the DASH diet only, a combination of both aerobic exercise and the DASH diet, or health education. Those in the exercise conditions exercised three times a week at 70% to 85% peak heart rate reserve, and those in the DASH conditions worked with a nutritionist for education and adherence. The primary outcome was performance on executive functioning …