Precision Medicine in Alzheimer’s Disease: A SMART Trial of Adaptive Exercises and Their Mechanisms of Action Using AT(N) Biomarkers to Optimize Aerobic-Fitness Responses - Abstract The objective of the proposed study is to capitalize on the existing FIT-AD SMART design to assess attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of exercise in Latinx participants compared to non-Hispanic Whites. The FIT-AD SMART Trial is double-blinded study investigating the effects of a 6-month aerobic exercise intervention on physical, cognitive, and blood biomarkers on persons with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Aerobic exercise has become an emerging treatment for AD. Unfortunately, the Latinx populations face unfavorable odds due to the increased risk of AD, high prevalence of physical inactivity, and lack of participation in exercise trials to develop effective treatments for the population. The proposed study will conduct a cross-sectional survey and semi- structured interview with 25 Latinx and 25 non-Hispanic White older adults recruited from the communities and 25 FIT-AD SMART enrollees to understand and compare the attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions on exercise, using a mixed-methods design. This research will be carried out by Kyla Galdos who has completed studies in exercise science to amplify her abilities which is furthermore complemented by her extensive experience in creating and delivering exercise prescriptions. Throughout her recent experience as the Exercise Interventionist in PI Yu ACT Trial, she has recognized the expanding problem of AD among the Latinx community. This has fueled her inspiration to become an Independent Researcher with a focus in disease reduction in the Latinx populations through exercise as medicine The cross-sectional design will collect data from 25 Latinx older adult respondents and 25 non-Hispanic White older adult respondents through online, over the phone, and in person survey intake for a duration of six months to allow enough time for analysis. Participants from the existing FIT-AD SMART trial will be invited to enroll into the proposed study and take part in a semi-structured interview at three data collection time-points: Baseline, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months. A total of 25 FIT-AD enrollees including more Latinx (13 participants) than non-Hispanic Whites (12 participants) will be included in the sample. The mixed-methods design will provide a rich insight on viewpoints of exercise between Latinx participants and the comparison with non-Hispanic Whites to create impactful interventions. The specific aims of this study are to: 1) Determine the attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of exercise in Latinx older adults in comparison to non-Hispanic Whites. 2) Evaluate the effect of a 6-month aerobic exercise intervention on attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions in Latinx participants in comparison to non-Hispanic Whites. 3) Acquire knowledge and skills in mixed-methods data collection and analysis to become a competitive PhD applicant in 2025. The abilities and knowledge gained from the experience will help the candidate scholar become a competitive PhD applicant in 2025 and progress towards the long-term goal of becoming an Independent Researcher.
