Let's Increase Fuerza (Strength) Through Exercise and Diet

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN · Mar 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Latinos Increasing Fuerza (Strength) Through Exercise and Diet trial is a study aimed at helping older Latino adults, aged 50 and above, who are at risk for memory problems. The trial will last for 6 months and will compare two different programs. One group will participate in a remote Latin dance program combined with strength training and a special diet called the MIND diet, while the other group will only do the Latin dance and follow the MIND diet. Researchers want to see how these activities affect memory, heart health, physical activity levels, and overall well-being.

To join this study, participants must identify as Latino or Hispanic, be at least 50 years old, and have heart disease or at least one risk factor for it, like high blood pressure or diabetes. They should also be doing very little physical activity currently and be able to understand Spanish. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups and will have two testing visits before and after the study, along with weekly sessions throughout the trial. The trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to provide valuable insights into how exercise and diet can support cognitive health in older adults.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1) self-identify as a Latino/Hispanic, 2) age 50+, 3) documented cardiovascular disease (CVD) or at least one CVD risk factor (i.e., hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, current smoker, or family history of CVD), 3) participate in \<3 days or \<90 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per week, 4) able to understand Spanish, 5) Wi-Fi Access, 6) score of greater than 21 on the TICS-M
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. uncontrolled illness including diabetes (e.g., participant reports high glucose levels despite treatment efforts), hypertension (e.g., participant is hypertensive while on medication or not adhering to medication), or thyroid disease (e.g., patient reports experiencing hyperthyroidism).
• • 2. history of musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, or neurological diseases that preclude the participation in moderate intensity exercise