How exercise helps cognition in older Veterans in the Gerofit program
Official title: Relationship of exercise frequency, intensity, and fitness to improved cognition and biomarkers in Gerofit participants
Funded at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System · NIH-11375234 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether a long-standing exercise program for older Veterans improves memory and thinking, and whether blood tests or muscle samples can predict who benefits most.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX004521-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375234 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older Veterans enrolled in or eligible for the Gerofit program, especially those without other exclusions for exercise participation.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals unable to participate safely in moderate-intensity exercise or without access to the Gerofit program.
What this research studies
Older Veterans participate in the Gerofit program to improve physical function, and this study will see if those physical gains align with better memory and executive thinking after three months and one year. It will compare participants to a control group and explore biomarkers in blood or muscle that might forecast cognitive and physical benefits. The research is grounded in real-world use of Gerofit within the VA, with outcomes that could guide personalized exercise plans for aging Veterans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could confirm that regular Gerofit exercise supports cognitive health and help identify biomarkers to tailor programs for maximum benefit.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show physical activity benefits cognition in older adults, but this study specifically pairs Gerofit participation with cognitive outcomes and biomarkers in Veterans.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Cathy — VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Lee, Cathy
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.