Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: physical, cognitive, and relaxation training and a control group. Participants were trained for 4 months, two times per week and 90 min per session. All trainings were supervised by professional trainers.
Physical training consisted of cardiovascular, aerobic, and strength exercises which were done to the same amount within each session. The cardiovascular training was conducted using treadmills, bicycle ergometers, and cross trainers which included pulse meters in order to control the heart function permanently. The aerobic exercises consisted of a number of easy step and floor movement sequences. The muscular strength exercises were conducted using strength machines as a combination of eight different sets which were repeated in 3 × 15 series by performing oppose muscle contraction. These exercises aimed at strengthening skeletal muscles and increasing the metabolism. Intensity of the training units was continuously increased but regarded the individual capability of the participants.
The multidomain cognitive training included paper and pencil and PC-based exercises. In the first 4 weeks the “Mental Activation Training” (MAT; Lehrl et al., 1994 ) and sudoku were used. Additionally, in the first eight sessions participants without any PC-experience were made step by step familiar with the computer handling. In the following weeks, the participants exercised using selected commercial and non-commercial internet-based software. The difficulty level of the exercises was continuously adapted to the individual abilities of the participants.
Each session consisted of different exercises that aimed at training crucial cognitive functions. The exercises mainly trained perceptual speed, attentional, and mnemonic functions but some exercises included reasoning or logical thinking. A detailed description of all used exercises and a schedule of the training program are given in the Appendix.
No explicit task switching exercise was included in this program. Two extra sessions were offered at the end of the program for those participants who missed the regular sessions. The participants were not encouraged to exercise outside the training sessions but to continue the training at home after the study was finished.
The relaxation group received a relaxation training consisting of autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation, back training, breathing exercises, massage, and Qigong. The aim of this training was to provide interesting and varied exercises, which did hardly require, and hence should not train, cognitive functions.
Physical training consisted of cardiovascular, aerobic, and strength exercises which were done to the same amount within each session. The cardiovascular training was conducted using treadmills, bicycle ergometers, and cross trainers which included pulse meters in order to control the heart function permanently. The aerobic exercises consisted of a number of easy step and floor movement sequences. The muscular strength exercises were conducted using strength machines as a combination of eight different sets which were repeated in 3 × 15 series by performing oppose muscle contraction. These exercises aimed at strengthening skeletal muscles and increasing the metabolism. Intensity of the training units was continuously increased but regarded the individual capability of the participants.
The multidomain cognitive training included paper and pencil and PC-based exercises. In the first 4 weeks the “Mental Activation Training” (MAT; Lehrl et al., 1994 ) and sudoku were used. Additionally, in the first eight sessions participants without any PC-experience were made step by step familiar with the computer handling. In the following weeks, the participants exercised using selected commercial and non-commercial internet-based software. The difficulty level of the exercises was continuously adapted to the individual abilities of the participants.
Each session consisted of different exercises that aimed at training crucial cognitive functions. The exercises mainly trained perceptual speed, attentional, and mnemonic functions but some exercises included reasoning or logical thinking. A detailed description of all used exercises and a schedule of the training program are given in the Appendix.
No explicit task switching exercise was included in this program. Two extra sessions were offered at the end of the program for those participants who missed the regular sessions. The participants were not encouraged to exercise outside the training sessions but to continue the training at home after the study was finished.
The relaxation group received a relaxation training consisting of autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation, back training, breathing exercises, massage, and Qigong. The aim of this training was to provide interesting and varied exercises, which did hardly require, and hence should not train, cognitive functions.
