30 minutes of walking or baduanjin may sharpen the aging brain

NCT ID NCT07678476

First seen Jul 01, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study investigates whether a single 30-minute session of brisk walking or Baduanjin (a gentle Chinese exercise) can improve inhibitory control—the ability to ignore distractions—in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Forty-five participants will be randomly assigned to walk, do Baduanjin, or rest quietly. Before and after, they will take a Stroop test (a measure of attention and inhibition) and have their brain waves recorded via EEG. The goal is to see if either exercise leads to immediate improvements and what brain changes might explain them.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
exercise intervention (brisk walking or Baduanjin)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward simple, non-drug ways to boost brain function in older adults with cognitive decline.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early study with only 45 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It tests only immediate effects, not long-term benefits.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Shanghai University of Sport

    Shanghai, China