Influence of Physical Exercise as Adjuvant Treatment in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

The goal of this non-randomized clinical trial is to assess the effects of strength training in the physical function of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. The main question it aims to answer are: Is a basic strength training enough to improve physical function in AD patients? Is an exercise intervention able to delayed the progression of the disease? Is an AMRAP intervention feasible in AD patients? Participants in the exercise group will perform a 16-weeks program divided in two phases (phase 1: basic strength training; phase 2: AMRAP training). Participants in both (exercise and control) groups will receive their usual care treatments which include occupational therapy, musicotherapy, cognitive stimulation and sensory stimulation.

The persons analyzing the data collected (investigators, statician) will not know to which group each person belongs.

These patients, in addition to receiving the usual treatment for their pathology, carry out supervised activity consisting of: Warm-up Strength circuit; At phase I it will be a standard strength training, while at Phase 2 it will be an AMRAP training)

20-30 min/session, 3 times/week for 4 weeks. After a 5-min warm-up, participants perform a moderate-intensity functional training program. This program is designed in circuit mode consisting of 6 global functional exercises: i) sit and stand, ii) forward lunges, iii) chest press, iv) high row, v) lateral shoulder raises and vi) heel raises. Participants must complete the highest number of repetitions and/or rounds as possible (AMRAP) in 15-min without a designated rest.

40-60 min/session, 3 times/week for 12 weeks. After a 5-min warm-up, participants performed 6 global functional exercises: i) sit-to-stand; ii) chest press, iii) forward lunges; iv) unilateral shoulder raises; v) unilateral row; and vi) heel raises. The initial volume is 2 sets and 8 repetitions and it will progressively increase until 3 sets and 12 repetitions.

Changes in the SPPB Score (Short Physical Performance Battery; Range between 0 "worst performance" and 12 "best performance")

Practicability of AMRAP (As Many Repetitions As Possible) training; it will be analysed by calculating both intra- and inter-subject coefficient variation.

This variable evaluates the applicability of this tipe of training in patients with Alzheimer disease

Inclusion Criteria: MMSE (Mini-Metal State Examination) score of ≥15 out of 35 (at screening less than 2 months prior to baseline visit) Age ≥60 years old Be able to walk with or without aids Be able to follow verbal instructions Exclusion Criteria: Surgery in the last 3 months Exhibit clear signs of disorientation Clinically confirmed signs of aggressiveness