CompletedNot Applicable

Fitness, Ageing, and Bilingualism (FAB): The Benefits of Regular Exercise and Bilingualism for Language Abilities in Healthy Ageing.

Norway, United Kingdom233 participantsStarted 2021-09-01

Plain-language summary

This project investigates the relative benefits of regular physical activity and bilingualism for ameliorating cognitive decline in healthy ageing, with a particular focus on language function. The randomized intervention component tests whether improving fitness via a home-based HIIT program leads to changes in fitness and related cognitive/language outcomes in older adults.

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years – 85 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Non-smokers for at least 5 years prior to enrollment. * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing. * No diagnosed language impairments (e.g., dyslexia, stuttering). * No illness or disease that would prevent safe participation in high-intensity interval training (HIIT). * Self-reported not meeting global physical activity recommendations (i.e., \<150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity physical activity). * Norway only: Written health certificate from the participant's general practitioner confirming eligibility for participation. Exclusion Criteria: * Any cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, neurological, kidney, liver, or cancer disease that would prevent safe participation in HIIT. * United Kingdom only: Severe electrocardiogram abnormalities (e.g., ST depression, long QT, heart block, wide QRS). * United Kingdom only: Elevated blood pressure at screening (systolic \>160 mmHg and/or diastolic \>90 mmHg).

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Aerobic fitness - VO₂peak

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)

Language function - Tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) task

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)

Language function - sentence production (speeded picture description)

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)

Language function - sentence comprehension (auditory word monitoring)

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)

Language function - discourse production (free picture description)

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)

Language control - language switching (bilinguals only; cued picture naming)

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)

Cognitive function - processing speed (letter comparison)

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07443189

SponsorUniversity of Agder

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2023-11-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Healthy Ageing trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years – 85 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Aerobic fitness - VO₂peak

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)

Language function - Tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) task

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)

Language function - sentence production (speeded picture description)

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)

Language function - sentence comprehension (auditory word monitoring)

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)

Language function - discourse production (free picture description)

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)

Language control - language switching (bilinguals only; cued picture naming)

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)

Cognitive function - processing speed (letter comparison)

Timeframe: Baseline; 26 weeks (post-intervention)