The EXERT study is fully enrolled and screening is complete. If you are a participant or study partner with a question about EXERT, please contact the Study Coordinator at your site or email [email protected].

The EXERT study is a national, 18-month long, clinical trial to test whether physical exercise can slow the progression of mild memory loss and/or mild cognitive impairment in older adults between the ages of 65-89. It is a Phase III randomized, controlled trial examining the effects of exercise on cognitive function and on biological markers in older adults with mild memory loss. The EXERT study will test whether aerobic training, or stretching/balance/range of motion exercise, can improve memory and thinking skills and other measures of brain health in people with mild memory loss or lapses.

The EXERT Study is enrolling adults between the ages of 65 and 89 years who:

• Are experiencing mild memory loss or lapses and/or are diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment
• Have not been exercising regularly
• Are in good health otherwise to participate in the study.

What would be expected of me if I enroll in the EXERT study?

After completing a variety of tests during the screening phase, eligible adults will enroll in the EXERT study and be randomly assigned to either a stretching/balance/range of motion group or to an aerobic training group.

Those enrolled will exercise at participating local YMCAs, under the supervision of a personal trainer. Participants will complete their assigned exercise program four times per week for 18 months. In the first 12 months of the study, two of the four weekly sessions will be supervised by the trainer. In the final six months, participants will continue to complete their assigned exercise program at the YMCA, but without supervision.