Just one workout may sharpen an aging brain, small study hints
NCT ID NCT07623954
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looked at whether a single session of different exercises—qigong, brisk walking, or elastic band workouts—could improve cognitive flexibility (the ability to switch between tasks) in 60 older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Participants did 30 minutes of moderate exercise or received health education. Researchers measured brain activity and thinking speed before and after. The goal was to see which type of exercise might help the brain work better, even after just one session.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- exercise (qigong, brisk walking, elastic band exercises)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward simple, single-session exercise routines that help older adults with mild cognitive impairment think more flexibly.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 60 participants and a single exercise session. Results may not apply to longer-term benefits or to people with more severe impairment.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
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
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