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Clinical trial Recruiting at 2 sites Interventional Ages 45 to 65

Goals-based exercise program for Black adults aged 45–65 to address cognitive decline

Official title: Exercise Adherence and Cognitive Decline: A Goal-setting and Exercise Intensity Intervention Collaboratively Developed With the Black Community

Run by University of Colorado, Boulder · NCT07127965 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This program will try a goals-based exercise plan to help Black adults aged 45–65 exercise more and see if that slows cognitive decline.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages45 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment226 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Colorado, Boulder
Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Aurora, Colorado and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedNovember 5, 2025
Main results expectedAugust 31, 2028
Study endsAugust 31, 2028
Registry record updatedJune 11, 2026
Trial IDNCT07127965 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are Black or African American adults aged 45–65 who are not currently meeting moderate-to-vigorous activity thresholds, can walk three blocks and climb two flights of stairs without limiting symptoms, have minimal cognitive impairment on screening, and can remain in the Denver metro area for the study period.

Probably not a fit

People already regularly active, those with diagnosed dementia or serious psychiatric disorders or on antipsychotic medications, those with unsafe cardiovascular or mobility limitations, or those whose primary care provider raises safety concerns are unlikely to benefit from this program.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized interventional program was developed with a Black-led community organization (The Gyedi Project) and a Community Advisory Board to improve exercise adherence in middle-aged Black adults. Eligible participants who are not currently regularly active and who pass cognitive and safety screens will be randomized to a goal-setting and exercise-intensity intervention or a comparison condition and followed over roughly 14 months. Activities take place at recreation centers in the Denver metro area and at the University of Colorado Boulder and emphasize personalized goal difficulty and exercise intensity. The trial aims to increase physical activity and examine whether greater adherence is associated with slowed cognitive decline in a population underrepresented in prior exercise research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help midlife Black adults increase physical activity and potentially slow or reduce future cognitive decline and related health risks.

How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show goal-setting and exercise interventions can increase activity and sometimes slow cognitive decline, but this culturally tailored program for middle-aged Black adults is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* \<3 incorrect responses on the Pfeiffer Mental Status Questionnaire
* Ages 45 to 65
* Consent to be randomized to conditions
* Planning to remain in the Denver metro area for the next 14 months
* Identify as Black or African American

Exclusion Criteria:

* Currently physically active (i.e., \>90 min/week of moderate PA or \>40 min/week of vigorous PA consistently for the past 6 months)
* On antipsychotic medications or currently under treatment for any serious psychiatric disorder including Alzheimer's or dementia
* Inability to walk 3 blocks without chest pain, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness
* Inability to climb 2 flights of stairs without chest pain, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness

PCP Exclusion Criteria:

* Answers "yes" to 1 or more of the 7 general questions of the PAR-Q+ and answers yes to any of the follow up questions.
* Blood pressure at baseline is greater than 160/100
* Blood pressure at baseline is between 140/90 - 160/100 and the participant is currently taking blood pressure medication
* Blood pressure \> 210/90 mmHg (for men) or \> 190/90 mmHg (for women) immediately after exercise

Where it's running

  • Recreation Centers in the Denver Metro Area
    Aurora, Colorado, United States     Recruiting
  • Recreation Centers in the Boulder Area
    Boulder, Colorado, United States     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Cognitive Decline 348University of Colorado, Boulder 15
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.