Be smart, exercise your heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition

Morphological evidence for the potential protective effects of curcumin and Garcinia kola against diabetes in the rat hippocampus

This research investigated the effects of sciatic nerve transection and diabetes on the hippocampus, and the protective effects of Garcinia kola and curcumin. Thirty-five adults male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups: a control group (Cont), a transected group (Sham group), a transected + diabetes mellitus group (DM), a transected + diabetes mellitus + Garcinia kola group (DM + GK), and a transected + DM + curcumin group (DM + Cur), each containing seven animals. The experimental diabetes model was created with the intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of streptozotocin. No procedure was applied to the Cont group, while sciatic nerve transection was performed on the other groups. Garcinia kola was administered to the rats in DM + GK, and curcumin to those in DM + Cur. Cardiac perfusion was performed at the end of the experimental period. Brain tissues were dissected for stereological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical evaluations. The volume ratios of hippocampal layers to the entire hippocampus volume were compared between the groups. Anti-S100, anti-caspase 3, and anti-SOX 2 antibodies were used for immunohistochemical analysis. No statistically significant difference was observed in the volume ratios of the four hippocampal layers. However, the volume ratio of the stratum lucidum was higher in the Sham, DM, and DM + Cur groups compared to the Cont group. While curcumin exhibited a protective effect on hippocampal tissue following diabetes induction, Garcinia kola had only a weak protective effect. Increased cell density and nuclear deterioration due to diabetes and nerve transection can be partially ameliorated by treatment with Garcinia kola and curcumin.

Electrophysiological differences in inhibitory control processing between collegiate level soccer players and non-athletes in the absence of performance differences

Inhibitory control, the ability to manage conflicting responses and suppress inappropriate actions, is crucial for team sports athletes, including soccer players. While previous studies have shown that soccer players possess superior inhibitory control, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this advantage remain unclear. Thus, this research aimed to investigate the neural processes involved in conflict resolution and response inhibition, comparing collegiate level soccer players with non-athletes. Participants completed a novel go/no-go task that involved conflict resolution and response inhibition, while their electroencephalograms were recorded. Despite no significant difference in behavioral performance between the two groups, soccer players exhibited notable N2 and frontal midline theta modulations in response to conflict resolution and inhibition, which were comparatively weaker in non-athletes. Our findings suggest that expertise in team sports may enhance neural sensitivity to subtle yet significant information, even without a discernible behavioral advantage.

Physical Activity and Children's Episodic Memory: A Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the effects of physical activity on children's free recall, cued recall, and recognition episodic memory and to explore potential moderating factors.

METHODS

The following databases were searched: PubMed, ERIC, APA Psych Info, CINHAL, SPORTDiscus, and Google Scholar. Studies were included if: (1) participants were aged 4-18 years, (2) participants were typically developed, (3) participants were randomized to groups, (4) interventions employed gross movements, (5) sedentary group was used for control, (6) memory tests were quantitative, and (7) employed acute or chronic intervention.

RESULTS

14 studies met inclusion criteria resulting in the analysis of data from 7 free recall, 7 cued recall, and 8 recognition memory tests. Physical activity was found to have a positive influence on tests free (g = 0.56), cued recall (g = 0.67), and no influence on tests of recognition (g = 0.06). While some moderator analyses were significant, the authors do not consider these results to be meaningful in application.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects of acute and chronic physical activity enhance specific aspects of long-term episodic memory. These findings suggest physical activity interventions developed for children may be expected to benefit some, but not all, types of memory processing.

Teamwork Competencies and Their Influence on Health Literacy and Other Health Variables

The ability to work in a team is a skill of special relevance for multiple facets of life, increasing performance and optimizing the process in any task. This work aimed to study whether teamwork skills were related to different health variables. The sample consisted of 671 military personnel from the Spanish Army. The instrument is composed of the Health Literacy Questionnaire-the Teamwork Skills Questionnaire, and Rosenberg's self-esteem scale. The study concludes that the level of teamwork skills of the military is high, as well as their level of health literacy and their self-perception of health. However, their self-esteem is medium. Teamwork competencies are positively associated with a higher level of health literacy, with a high self-perception of their health, with the level of physical activity and negatively with self-esteem and the number of hospital admissions.

Hemodynamics of short-duration light-intensity physical exercise in the prefrontal cortex of children: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

Identifying the types of exercise that enhance cerebral blood flow is crucial for developing exercise programs that enhance cognitive function. Nevertheless, few studies have explored the amount of light-intensity, short-duration exercises that individuals can easily perform on cerebral blood flow, particularly in children. We examined the effects of these exercises on the hemodynamics of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Participants comprised 41 children (aged 12.1 ± 1.5 years, 37% female) who engaged in seven light-intensity exercises, with each movement performed in two patterns lasting 10 or 20 s. Changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) levels at rest and during exercise were compared using analysis of covariance, with sex and age as covariates. Significant increases in oxy-Hb were observed in multiple regions of the PFC during all forms of exercise (including dynamic and twist stretching [66.6%, 8/12 regions, η2 = 0.07-0.27], hand and finger movements [75.0%, 9/12 regions, η2 = 0.07-0.16], and balance exercises (100.0%, 6/6 regions, η2 = 0.13-0.25]), except for static stretching with monotonic movements. This study implies that short-duration, light-intensity exercises, provided that they entail a certain degree of cognitive and/or physical demands, can activate the PFC and increase blood flow.

The effects of age and gender and elite levels on perceptual-cognitive skills of adolescent badminton athletes

Introduction

This study aimed to examine perceptual-cognitive skills across age, gender and elite levels of badminton adolescent athletes.

Methods

A total of 57 badminton athletes divided into junior high school athletes (age = 13.36 ± 1.14 years, females = 22, males = 11) and senior high school athletes (age = 16.25 ± 0.84 years, females = 11, males = 13) were evaluated using a cognitive component skills approach. Elite levels were classified as semi-elite (n = 29, score = 3.23) and competitive elite (n = 28, score = 5.84) levels. Each group completed a cognitive test, including an evaluation of their capacity for Corsi block-tapping (CCT) and spatial priming tasks (SPT).

Results

No gender effects were found in the perceptual skills of the adolescent players, and the age effect was consistent across gender. For the elite levels, the perceptual-cognitive skills of SPT of reaction time was performed equally in the groups of semi-elite and competitive players, however, in the CCT Span of working-memory (WM), competitive-elite players outperformed semi-elite players.

Conclusion

We found that perceptual-cognitive skills of WM play crucial roles in the open-skill sports of badminton. Thus, when developing advanced skills to higher elite levels in adolescent players, perceptual-cognitive skills should be considered.

Physically active learning for children with learning disorders attending special-needs schools: A program evaluation

BACKGROUND

Physically active learning (PAL) is a potentially valuable method to stimulate academic performance and physical activity (PA) in children with learning disorders (LD) attending special-needs schools. It is yet unknown whether PAL can be successfully implemented in special-needs schools.

AIMS

This study aimed to evaluate a PAL-program in special-needs schools by examining teacher's dose delivered, children's dose received, and associations of children's characteristics with dose received.

METHODS

Children (N = 37) from two special-needs schools participated in a six-week PAL-program. Dose delivered was evaluated based on PAL-lessons' implementation rate and duration. Dose received was assessed through time-on-task observations (n = 23) and PA (n = 37). To assess the association between dose received and children's characteristics (sex, behavioral disorders, motor skills, and physical fitness), Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman's rho correlations were used.

RESULTS

For teacher's dose delivered, the implementation rate exceeded 95%, and the PAL-lessons lasted the intended 12 minutes. For dose received, children's on-task behavior was above 79%, and children spent 43% of the time in moderate-to-vigorous PA during PAL. Motor skills were positively related to on-task behavior related to the movements, and physical fitness was positively related to moderate-to-vigorous PA.

CONCLUSIONS

PAL was successfully implemented in terms of dose delivered and dose received for children with LD attending special-needs schools.

Effects of aquatic exercise intervention on executive function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor of children with autism spectrum disorder

BACKGROUND

Limited knowledge exists regarding the effectiveness of aquatic exercise intervention for improving executive function (EF) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Additionally, the impact of aquatic exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in children with ASD requires further investigation.

AIMS

This study aimed to explore the effects of a 12-week aquatic exercise intervention on core EF and BDNF levels in children with ASD.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Thirty children with ASD were assigned to an experimental or control group. The experimental group underwent a 12-week aquatic exercise intervention, while the control group engaged in supervised free activities. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured EF and BDNF levels.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

The experimental group showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in inhibition control, cognitive flexibility, and BDNF levels. However, working memory did not significantly improve. The control group exhibited no significant changes in EF or BDNF levels.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Aquatic exercise appears to be a beneficial intervention for cognitive development in children with ASD, as it enhances inhibition control, cognitive flexibility, and BDNF levels in children with ASD. Furthermore, the observed improvements in EF following aquatic exercise intervention in children with ASD may be associated with increased BDNF levels.

Direct and indirect effects of physiological, psychological and cognitive variables on academic achievement in children

BACKGROUND

Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), screen time, psychological well-being, executive functions, and academic achievement have been reported, however, few studies have analysed models considering the effect of all these variables on academic achievement. This study aims to analyse the direct and indirect associations of mothers' education level, CRF, screen time, psychological well-being, executive functions, with academic achievement in schoolchildren, by sex.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional analysis of MOVI-daFit! study including 519 schoolchildren (49.52% girls) aged 9-11 years old. Executive functions were assessed with the NIH Toolbox, CRF with the 20-m shuttle run test, academic achievement through the final academic grades in language and mathematics and mother's education level, screen time and well-being by questionnaires.

RESULTS

Structural equation modelling revealed that in boys cognitive flexibility had a significant direct effect on academic achievement and screen time a total significant effect on academic achievement. In girls, CRF was associated with inhibition and psychological well-being, and this was associated with academic achievement.

CONCLUSIONS

Physiological, psychological, and behavioural variables act together to impact academic achievement, and that differences by sex might exist. Thus, strategies to enhance academic achievement in schoolchildren should consider psychological well-being, CRF, screen time, and sex differences.

IMPACT

Physiological, psychological, and behavioural variables, such as cardiorespiratory fitness, screen time, psychological well-being, and cognition all together have an impact on academic achievement, with differences by sex. Previous studies have demonstrated the separate effect of these variables, however, to date, this is the first study that analyses all together in the same model their impact on academic achievement, by sex. This study shows that in boys cognitive flexibility and screen time impact academic achievement. In girls, cardiorespiratory fitness is highly associated with psychological well-being, and this, in turn, was associated with academic achievement.

Effects of acute aerobic exercise on resting state functional connectivity of motor cortex in college students

This study intends to inspect the effects of acute aerobic exercise (AE) on resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) in motor cortex of college students and the moderating effect of fitness level.

METHODS

20 high fitness level college students and 20 ordinary college students were recruited in public. Subjects completed 25 min of moderate- and high-intensity acute aerobic exercise respectively by a bicycle ergometer, and the motor cortex's blood oxygen signals in resting state were monitored by functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS, the Shimadzu portable Light NIRS, Japan) in pre- and post-test.

RESULTS

At the moderate intensity level, the total mean value of RSFC pre- and post-test was significantly different in the high fitness level group (pre-test 0.62 ± 0.18, post-test 0.51 ± 0.17, t(19) = 2.61, p = 0.02, d = 0.58), but no significant change was found in the low fitness level group. At the high-intensity level, there was no significant difference in the difference of total RSFC between pre- and post-test in the high and low fitness group. According to and change trend of 190 "edges": at the moderate-intensity level, the number of difference edges in the high fitness group (d = 0.58, 23) were significantly higher than those in the low fitness group (d = 0.32, 15), while at high-intensity level, there was a reverse trend between the high fitness group (d = 0.25, 18) and the low fitness group (d = 0.39, 23).

CONCLUSIONS

moderate-intensity AE can cause significant changes of RSFC in the motor cortex of college students with high fitness, while high fitness has a moderating effect on the relationship between exercise intensity and RSFC. RSFC of people with high fitness is more likely to be affected by AE and show a wider range of changes.

Age-related changes in meningeal lymphatic function are closely associated with vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression

Meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs) have crucial roles in removing metabolic waste and toxic proteins from the brain and transporting them to the periphery. Aged mice show impaired meningeal lymphatic function. Nevertheless, as the disease progresses, and significant pathological changes manifest in the brain, treating the condition becomes increasingly challenging. Therefore, investigating the alterations in the structure and function of MLVs in the early stages of aging is critical for preventing age-related central nervous system degenerative diseases. We detected the structure and function of MLVs in young, middle-aged, and aged mice. Middle-aged mice, compared with young and aged mice, showed enhanced meningeal lymphatic function along with MLV expansion and performed better in the Y maze test. Moreover, age-related changes in meningeal lymphatic function were closely associated with vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression in the brain cortex. Our data suggested that the cerebral cortex may serve as a target for VEGF-C supplementation to ameliorate meningeal lymphatic dysfunction, thus providing a new strategy for preventing age-related central nervous system diseases.

Effects of Practicing Closed- vs. Open-Skill Exercises on Executive Functions in Individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)-A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

(1) Background: Previous studies have identified discrepancies in improvements in executive functioning in typically developing children when comparing closed- and open-skill exercise interventions. However, there is limited research on executive functioning in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the impact of closed- and open-skill exercises on ADHD populations. (2) Methods: The PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed to search seven databases to evaluate and analyze studies published from 2013 to 2023. Prospero: CRD42023460452. (3) Results: A meta-analysis of 578 subjects with ADHD in 11 RCTs (Randomized control trial) and 3 NRS (Non-randomized studies) revealed that closed-skill exercise significantly improved executive function subdomains, including inhibitory control (standardized mean differences (SMD) = -1.00), cognitive flexibility (SMD = -1.33), and working memory (SMD = -0.85). Furthermore, open-skill exercise was found to have a positive effect on inhibitory control (SMD = -1.98) and cognitive flexibility (SMD = -0.97) in ADHD patients. Both types of exercise interventions demonstrated an improvement in executive function compared to controls, with open-skill exercises exhibiting superior effects (Qb = 6.26). (4) Conclusions: The review recommends a 12-week intervention cycle with exercise at least twice a week of moderate or higher intensity as suitable for ADHD individuals. This review also encourages individuals with ADHD to engage in exercises involving multiple motor skill types.

Ten-Minute Physical Activity Breaks Improve Attention and Executive Functions in Healthcare Workers

Occupational health is a major problem in modern work environments. Physical activity breaks (PABs), short exercise periods delivered during working hours, incorporating exergames or outdoor activities, have emerged as a novel approach that could be used to improve work efficiency and workplace wellbeing. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of PABs on attention levels and executive functions in healthcare workers. A total of 27 healthcare workers (M = 14, W = 13; 49.55 ± 12.46 years), after 4 h of work, randomly performed one of three 10 min conditions weekly in a counterbalanced order: No Physical Activity Break (NPAB); Outdoor Physical Activity Break (OPAB); Physical Activity Break with Exergame (PABEx). After the conditions, executive functions and selective attention were assessed by the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), and the Trail Making A,B test (TMT A,B), respectively. Significant differences between OPAB and NPAB as well as between PABEx and NPAB in the TMT-A test χ2(2) = 44.66 (p < 0.001) and TMT-B test χ2(2) = 48.67 (p < 0.001) were found, respectively. TMT-A and SCWT interference/time scores of the PABEx and OPAB conditions were significantly lower than those of NPAB (p < 0.001). In the SCWT interference/error score, no significant difference was found between the PABEx and NPAB (p > 0.05), but the score was statistically lower in the OPAB condition than PABEx (p = 0.001) and PABEx condition compared to OPAB for TMT-A (p = 0.001). Findings showed that the OPAB and PABEx conditions are effective in improving selective attention and executive functions in healthcare workers. Employers can foster a healthier and more productive workforce by promoting a culture of movement and prioritizing employee health, which in turn can enhance patient care outcomes.

The Influence of Separate and Combined Exercise and Foreign Language Acquisition on Learning and Cognition

Aging contributes significantly to cognitive decline. Aerobic exercise (AE) has been shown to induce substantial neuroplasticity changes, enhancing cognitive and brain health. Likewise, recent research underscores the cognitive benefits of foreign language learning (FLL), indicating improvements in brain structure and function across age groups. However, the lack of a comprehensive paradigm integrating language learning with exercise limits research on combined effects in older adults. In order to address this gap, we devised a novel approach using a virtual world tourism scenario for auditory-based language learning combined with aerobic cycling. Our study examines the impact of simultaneous AE and FLL integration on cognitive and language learning outcomes compared to FLL alone. A total of 20 older adults were randomly assigned to AE + FLL and FLL-only groups. The results revealed significantly improved Spanish language learning outcomes in both combined and language learning-only groups. Additionally, significant cognitive function improvement was observed in the FLL group following short-term language learning.

Toward Development of a Novel Proprioceptive Trail-Making Test: Comparing Healthy Dancers and Non-Dancers

There is a pressing need for ecologically valid versions of traditional neuropsychological tests indexing executive function (EF), such as the Trail-Making Task (TMT), that incorporate movement and bodily awareness in healthy participants with varying abilities. We designed a proprioceptive version of the TMT (pTMT) that involved coordinated gross motor movement and proprioceptive awareness to investigate whether this measure of visual attention, task switching, and working memory positively correlated with a computerized version of the TMT (the dTMT). We aimed to establish the initial validity of our proprioceptive TMT (pTMT) by comparing performances on the dTMT and pTMT among a cohort of 36 healthy participants (18 dancers, 18 non-dancers; M age = 22, SD = 5.27; 64% female) anticipating that dancers would express higher intrinsic bodily awareness than non-dancers. Results revealed a mild to moderate but statistically significant positive correlation between dTMT and pTMT completion times [part A: r (36) = .33, p = .04; part B: r (36) = .37, p = .03] and numbers of errors [part B: r (36) = .41, p = .01] across both participant groups. These data suggest partial measurement convergence between these two TMT versions. Relative to non-dancers, dancers exhibited a higher level of performance (likely due to their better proprioceptive ability) through their faster completion times on dTMT-B [t (34) = 3.81, p = .006, d = 1.27] and pTMT-B [t (34) = 2.97, p = .005, d = .99], and their fewer errors on dTMT-B [t (34) = 2.93, p = .006, d = 1.0]. By identifying cognitive differences between these different groups of healthy individuals, our data contribute to both a theoretical understanding and the initial development of gross motor movement-based cognitive assessments, providing a path toward the further refinement of an ecologically valid full-body TMT.

The mitochondrial quality control system: a new target for exercise therapeutic intervention in the treatment of brain insulin resistance-induced neurodegeneration in obesity

Obesity is a major global health concern because of its strong association with metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases such as diabetes, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, brain insulin resistance in obesity is likely to lead to neuroplasticity deficits. Since the evidence shows that insulin resistance in brain regions abundant in insulin receptors significantly alters mitochondrial efficiency and function, strategies targeting the mitochondrial quality control system may be of therapeutic and practical value in obesity-induced cognitive decline. Exercise is considered as a powerful stimulant of mitochondria that improves insulin sensitivity and enhances neuroplasticity. It has great potential as a non-pharmacological intervention against the onset and progression of obesity associated neurodegeneration. Here, we integrate the current knowledge of the mechanisms of neurodegenration in obesity and focus on brain insulin resistance to explain the relationship between the impairment of neuronal plasticity and mitochondrial dysfunction. This knowledge was synthesised to explore the exercise paradigm as a feasible intervention for obese neurodegenration in terms of improving brain insulin signals and regulating the mitochondrial quality control system.

Soccer (football) and brain health

Soccer is one of the most popular sports worldwide, played by over 270 million people and followed by many more. Several brain health benefits are promoted by practising soccer and physical exercise at large, which helps contrast the cognitive decline associated with ageing by enhancing neurogenesis processes. However, sport-related concussions have been increasingly recognised as a pressing public health concern, not only due to their acute impact but also, more importantly, due to mounting evidence indicating an elevated risk for the development of neurological sequelae following recurrent head traumas, especially chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). While soccer players experience less frequent concussions compared with other contact or combat sports, such as American football or boxing, it stands alone in its purposeful use of the head to hit the ball (headings), setting its players apart as the only athletes exposed to intentional, sub-concussive head impacts. Additionally, an association between soccer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has been consistently observed, suggesting a potential "soccer-specific" risk factor. In this review, we discuss the neurological sequelae related to soccer playing, the emerging evidence of a detrimental effect related to recurrent headings, and the need for implementation of comprehensive strategies aimed at preventing and managing the burden of head impact in soccer.

The Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate Alcohol Consumption on Cognitive Performance-A Multidisciplinary Intervention in Young Healthy Adults

BACKGROUND

The main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention in the context of moderate alcohol consumption on cognitive performance in healthy young adults.

METHODS

We conducted a 10-week HIIT program along with four types of beverages with/without alcohol content. A total of 75 healthy adults (18-40 years old; 46% female) were allocated to either a control Non-Training group or an HIIT program group (2 days/week). Using block randomization, participants in the HIIT group were further allocated to an HIIT-Alcohol group (alcohol beer or sparkling water with vodka added, 5.4%) or an HIIT-NonAlcohol group (sparkling water or non-alcohol beer, 0.0%). The control group was instructed to maintain an active lifestyle but did not undergo any regular training. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was used to evaluate cognitive performance (i.e., memory, working memory, processing speed, inhibitory control, and verbal fluency). Changes from baseline to week 10 were included in the main analyses.

RESULTS

All groups improved in all neuropsychological measures (all p ≤ 0.001), independent of sex and alcohol consumption, with no statistical differences between groups (all p > 0.05). Furthermore, larger increases in maximal oxygen uptake were associated with greater improvements in processing speed, inhibitory control, and verbal fluency (all p < 0.050).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the improvements found in cognitive performance cannot be attributed to the HIIT intervention, no significant impairments in cognitive functions were noted due to moderate alcohol intake. Furthermore, our results confirmed that exercise-induced physical fitness improvements were associated with cognitive performance enhancements in young healthy adults.

A multimodal approach integrating cognitive and motor demands into physical activity for optimal mental health: Methodological issues and future directions

Physical activity is known for its positive effects on cognition and affect, with existing literature suggesting that these mental health benefits may be optimally experienced by incorporating cognitive and motor demands during physical activity (PA). However, the existing body of literature lacks a comprehensive guideline for designing the qualitative characteristics of a PA program. Accordingly, this narrative review aimed to (1) provide a working two-dimension model that operationally defines the cognitive and motor demands involved in PA and the rationale for systematically studying these qualitative aspects of PA, (2) identify methods to assess the cognitive and motor demands of PA and address associated methodological issues, and (3) offer potential future directions for research on the cognitive and motor aspects of PA in support of the development of PA programs designed to maximize PA-induced cognitive and affective benefits. We anticipate this article to inform the need for future research and development on this topic, aiming to create clear, evidence-based guidelines for designing innovative and effective PA interventions.

Physical activity and self-efficacy in college students: the mediating role of grit and the moderating role of gender

Background

There is a paucity of knowledge concerning the psychological variables that serve to facilitate the connection between physical activity and self-efficacy, and the factors capable of moderating these pathways. This study aimed to examine the relationship between physical activity and self-efficacy among college students, with a focus on the mediating effect of grit and the moderating effect of gender.

Methods

This study recruited 3,228 undergraduate students from a university in Shanghai, China. They completed the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Short Grit Scale, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 and the Process v4.0 plugin.

Results

Physical activity had both a direct effect on self-efficacy (β = 0.07, 95% CI [0.04-0.11]) and an indirect effect through the two dimensions of grit: perseverance of effort (β = 0.06, 95% CI [0.04-0.07]) and consistency of interest (β = 0.03, 95% CI [0.02-0.04]). The mediating effect explained 53.27% of the total effect. Furthermore, gender moderated the relationship between perseverance of effort and self-efficacy, with a stronger effect observed in males (β = 0.08, t = 3.27, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The results revealed that grit is an underlying psychological mechanism that links physical activity and self-efficacy. Moreover, gender moderates the effect of perseverance of effort on self-efficacy, with a stronger effect observed in males. These findings have practical implications for educators to design tailored physical activity interventions that foster grit and self-efficacy among college students.

Effects of exercise interventions on negative emotions, cognitive performance and drug craving in methamphetamine addiction

Introduction

Methamphetamine is currently one of the most commonly used addictive substances with strong addiction and a high relapse rate. This systematic review aims to examine the effectiveness of physical activity in improving negative emotions, cognitive impairment, and drug craving in people with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD).

Methods

A total of 17 studies out of 133 found from Embase and PubMed were identified, reporting results from 1836 participants from MUD populations. Original research using clearly described physical activity as interventions and reporting quantifiable outcomes of negative mood, cognitive function and drug craving level in people with MUD were eligible for inclusion. We included prospective studies, randomized controlled trials, or intervention studies, focusing on the neurological effects of physical activity on MUD.

Results

Taken together, the available clinical evidence showed that physical activity-based interventions may be effective in managing MUD-related withdrawal symptoms.

Discussion

Physical exercise may improve drug rehabilitation efficiency by improving negative emotions, cognitive behaviors, and drug cravings.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024530359.

An experimental study on the influence of healthy physical education curriculum model on sports ability of Chinese senior high school students

In recent years, the growing incidence of health issues among Chinese students, including obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases, has been attributed to a sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy eating habits. Physical education (PE) classes play a crucial role in promoting physical activity and fostering healthy lifestyles among Chinese students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the healthy PE curriculum model on the sports ability of senior high school students in China. The trial adopted a quasi-experimental design with equivalent groups. The experimental group followed the healthy PE curriculum model in their PE classes, while the control group received traditional technical instruction. During the 12-week intervention, 149 senior high school students completed the sports ability test as both the pre-test and post-test measurements for this experimental study. The results indicated that the experimental group showed significant improvements in sports ability compared to the control group, highlighting the positive effects of the healthy PE curriculum model. The structural characteristics of the healthy PE curriculum model provided essential support for students' learning and proved to be an effective way to promote physical literacy among senior high school students in China.

Physical fitness decline and career paths: a longitudinal study of medical undergraduates

INTRODUCTION

Exercise enhances one's health and competitiveness. A strong physical fitness status can pave the way for a promising future. This study presents the time-based trends in physical fitness indicators-including height, weight, BMI, lung capacity, dash, long-distance running, and standing long jump-among medical undergraduates during their university years. Additionally, we analyzed the impact of students' physical fitness on their career paths.

METHOD

We conducted a retrospective database study by collecting physical fitness test data and career paths information for 634 medical students from a university in southwestern China. These students graduated in 2022. The career paths included pursuits in further studies, employment, and unemployment. To detect differences in these aspects, we used the t-test and Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Our study indicates a significant declining trend in the physical fitness of medical students during their university years. The changes observed between the first and fourth tests are as follows: Weight (kg): 58.52 ± 10.48 to 60.73 ± 12.07, P < 0.00 BMI (kg/m^2): 20.79 ± 2.74 to 21.24 ± 3.06, P < 0.00 50-m dash (s): 8.91 ± 0.99 to 9.25 ± 1.11, P < 0.00 Standing long jump (cm): 187.74 ± 30.98 to 182.59 ± 32.25, P < 0.00 800-m run for females (min): 3.84 ± 0.47 to 4.48 ± 0.85, P < 0.00 1000-m run for males (min): 3.98 ± 0.63 to 4.62 ± 0.87, P < 0.00 Sit-ups for females (count): 30.39 ± 7.5 to 29.03 ± 8.82, P < 0.00 Upon analyzing the correlation between changes in physical fitness and career paths, students with stable or decreased BMI had better post-graduation outcomes compared to students with increased BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical students show a declining trend in physical fitness during their undergraduate years. A good physical health status is beneficial for achieving better career paths. Medical students should place greater emphasis on physical exercise during their time in school.

Treadmill exercise training inhibits morphine CPP by reversing morphine effects on GABA neurotransmission in D2-MSNs of the accumbens-pallidal pathway in male mice

Relapse is a major challenge in the treatment of drug addiction, and exercise has been shown to decrease relapse to drug seeking in animal models. However, the neural circuitry mechanisms by which exercise inhibits morphine relapse remain unclear. In this study, we report that 4-week treadmill training prevented morphine conditioned place preference (CPP) expression during abstinence by acting through the nucleus accumbens (NAc)-ventral pallidum (VP) pathway. We found that neuronal excitability was reduced in D2-dopamine receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) following repeated exposure to morphine and forced abstinence. Enhancing the excitability of NAc D2-MSNs via treadmill training decreased the expression of morphine CPP. We also found that the effects of treadmill training were mediated by decreasing enkephalin levels and that restoring opioid modulation of GABA neurotransmission in the VP, which increased neurotransmitter release from NAc D2-MSNs to VP, decreased morphine CPP. Our findings suggest the inhibitory effect of exercise on morphine CPP is mediated by reversing morphine-induced neuroadaptations in the NAc-to-VP pathway.

Mechanisms and benefits of cardiac rehabilitation in individuals with stroke: emerging role of its impact on improving cardiovascular and neurovascular health

Human and animal studies have demonstrated the mechanisms and benefits of aerobic exercise for both cardiovascular and neurovascular health. Aerobic exercise induces neuroplasticity and neurophysiologic reorganization of brain networks, improves cerebral blood flow, and increases whole-body VO2peak (peak oxygen consumption). The effectiveness of a structured cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program is well established and a vital part of the continuum of care for people with cardiovascular disease. Individuals post stroke exhibit decreased cardiovascular capacity which impacts their neurologic recovery and extends disability. Stroke survivors share the same risk factors as patients with cardiac disease and can therefore benefit significantly from a comprehensive CR program in addition to neurorehabilitation to address their cardiovascular health. The inclusion of individuals with stroke into a CR program, with appropriate adaptations, can significantly improve their cardiovascular health, promote functional recovery, and reduce future cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events thereby reducing the economic burden of stroke.

Cognitive Function, Healthy Lifestyle, and All-Cause Mortality among Chinese Older Adults: A Longitudinal Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Both cognitive decline and unhealthy lifestyles have been linked to an elevated risk of mortality in older people. We aimed to investigate whether a healthy lifestyle might modify the association between cognitive function and all-cause mortality in Chinese older populations.

METHODS

The final analysis included 5124 individuals free of dementia, selected from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 2011 to 2018. Cognitive function was assessed in 2011 using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). A lifestyle score was calculated based on five lifestyle factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, diet, and body mass index. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to evaluate the association between baseline cognitive function and the risk of all-cause mortality, with an interaction term of cognitive function and lifestyle score being added to the models.

RESULTS

The average age of participants was 81.87 years old at baseline. During a median follow-up of 6.4 years, 1461 deaths were documented. Both higher cognitive function (HR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.96-0.97) and a healthier lifestyle (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.87-0.97) were significantly associated with a reduced risk of mortality. We found that lifestyle significantly modified the association of cognitive function with mortality (p for interaction = 0.004). The inverse relation between cognitive function and mortality was found to be more pronounced among participants with a healthier lifestyle. Of note, among the lifestyle scores component, diet showed a significant interaction with mortality (p for interaction = 0.003), and the protective HR of the all-cause mortality associated with higher MMSE scores was more prominent among participants with healthy diets compared with unhealthy diets.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that cognitive decline is associated with a higher risk of mortality, and such associations are attenuated by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, with a particular emphasis on healthy diet.

Exercise mitigates a gut microbiota-mediated reduction in adult hippocampal neurogenesis and associated behaviours in rats

Lifestyle factors, especially exercise, impact the manifestation and progression of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders such as depression and Alzheimer's disease, mediated by changes in hippocampal neuroplasticity. The beneficial effects of exercise may be due to its promotion of adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN). Gut microbiota has also been showed to be altered in a variety of brain disorders, and disturbances of the microbiota have resulted in alterations in brain and behaviour. However, whether exercise can counteract the negative effects of altered gut microbiota on brain function remains under explored. To this end, chronic disruption of the gut microbiota was achieved using an antibiotic cocktail in rats that were sedentary or allowed voluntary access to running wheels. Sedentary rats with disrupted microbiota displayed impaired performance in hippocampal neurogenesis-dependent tasks: the modified spontaneous location recognition task and the novelty suppressed feeding test. Performance in the elevated plus maze was also impaired due to antibiotics treatment. These behaviours, and an antibiotics-induced reduction in AHN were attenuated by voluntary exercise. The effects were independent of changes in the hippocampal metabolome but were paralleled by caecal metabolomic changes. Taken together these data highlight the importance of the gut microbiota in AHN-dependent behaviours and demonstrate the power of lifestyle factors such as voluntary exercise to attenuate these changes.

The newly discovered glymphatic system: the missing link between physical exercise and brain health?

Dementias are responsible for the most frequent neurodegenerative diseases and the seventh leading cause of death worldwide. As a result, there is a growing effort by the neuroscientific community to understand the physiopathology of neurodegenerative diseases, including how to alleviate the effects of the cognitive decline by means of non-pharmacological therapies (e.g., physical exercise). Studies have shown that exercise can improve aspects of brain health related to cognition. However, there still needs to be more knowledge regarding the mechanisms controlling these relationships, and a newly discovered cleansing system in the brain, named the glymphatic system, can be the missing link in this mechanism. The objective of this paper is to review recent findings regarding the potential impacts of physical exercise on the glymphatic system and its implications for the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, considering the close interplay between exercise and sleep quality, we aim to explore how sleep patterns may intersect with exercise-induced effects on glymphatic function, further elucidating the complex relationship between lifestyle factors and brain health.

Gender comparison of perceptual-cognitive learning in young athletes

Elite athletes demonstrate higher perceptual cognitive abilities compared to non-athletes and those capacities can be trained. A recent study showed that differences were observed between male and female athletes in their cognitive abilities whereby male athletes showed superior perceptual abilities compared to female athletes. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there were gender differences in athletes' perceptual cognitive learning using a 3D-MOT tracking task. The study was performed on 72 young people from 16 to 22 years of age; athlete males and females and non-athlete males and females were distributed in four distinct groups. Five sessions comprised of three thresholds were performed with each participant. Results indicated that all participants benefited from training and significantly increased their speed thresholds. Initial scores showed that male athletes achieved higher speed thresholds than any other groups. Furthermore, after 5 weeks, female athletes obtained higher speed thresholds in comparison to their non-athlete counterparts. In conclusion, engaging in sporting activity is associated with improved perceptual-cognitive abilities and learning. The results support the notion that competitive sport-related activity is beneficial for perceptual-cognitive functions and emphasizes the benefits of participating in sport-related activities for improved brain function with an even greater impact for females.

Physical training improves inhibitory control in children aged 7-12 years: An fNIRS study

Physical exercise plays a crucial role in the development of cognition and brain functions in children. Inhibitory control is an advanced cognition that affects children's life and learning. In the current study, the relationship between physical training and inhibitory control was explored. In total, 80 children were randomly but equally assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent physical training (volleyball) for 60 min, thrice a week for 12 weeks. In contrast, the control group did not undergo any training and continued with their daily routines. The flanker task and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) were employed to investigate the effects of 12-week physical training on inhibitory control and changes in the oxy-Hb concentration in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during the task. The behavioral results revealed that the experimental group performed better on the flanker task (e.g., shorter response time [F(1,74) = 18.420, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.199] and higher accuracy [F(1,74) = 15.00, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.169] than the control group. The oxy-Hb concentration in the right dorsolateral PFC (R-DLPFC) was higher and the activation level of this region was higher during the flanker task [F(1,74) = 6.216, p < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.077]. Moreover, the McNemar test revealed improved cognitive performance in response time or accuracy and R-DLPFC activation induced by physical exercise coincided significantly (χ2 = 5.49, p < 0.05; χ2 = 6.081, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the R-DLPFC is likely the neural substrate for improved cognitive performance elicited by 12-week physical training.

Research on the effect of different aerobic activity on physical fitness and executive function in primary school students

To evaluate the effect of 16 weeks of different aerobic activity on physical fitness and executive functions in primary school students. 90 right-handed students from China (Boys = 46; Girls = 44) participated in our study and were randomly separated into four groups: 20 in the control group (Con), 23 in the physical activity group (PA), 25 in the intellectual activity group (IA), 22 in the physical activity and intellectual activity group (PA + IA). The students in PA, IA and PA + IA group received aerobic exercise program lasted 40 min daily, 4 days a week for 16 weeks, regular physical activity in the PA group, intellectual activity in the IA group, physical activity couple with intellectual activity in the PA + IA group, respectively. All the students participate the experiment for body composition, physical fitness (cardiopulmonary fitness, muscle strength, speed sensitivity, flexibility quality), executive functions and saliva analysis test before and after 16 weeks. There was no significant effect of 16 weeks different aerobic exercise interventions on body composition before and after exercise interventions among four groups in children (p > 0.05). The results were obtained by inter-group and intra-group comparisons that different exercise interventions (physical activity, intellectual activity, physical combine with intellectual activity), all can significantly improve physical fitness parameters (cardiopulmonary fitness, muscle strength, speed sensitivity and flexibility quality), and executive functions parameters (inhibitory control, working memory, reaction time cognitive flexibility), as well as the concentration of saliva GH and IGF-I (p < 0.05) in children. Our experiment further demonstrated that the improvement effect of the two exercises together is more significant than that of the single exercise ways. Both physical and intellectual activity can effectively improve physical fitness and executive function in children, and the improvement effect of the two exercises together is more significant than that of the single exercise ways.

Pre-stroke physical activity matters for functional limitations: A longitudinal case-control study of 12,860 participants

Objective

In the chronic phase after a stroke, limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADL (IADLs) initially plateau before steadily increasing. The benefits of pre-stroke physical activity on these limitations remain unclear. To clarify this relationship, we examined the effect of physical activity on the long-term evolution of functional limitations in a cohort of stroke survivors and compared it to a cohort of matched stroke-free adults.

Methods

Longitudinal data from 2,143 stroke survivors and 10,717 stroke-free adults aged 50 years and older were drawn from a prospective cohort study based on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (2004-2022; 8 data collection waves). Physical activity was assessed in the pre-stroke wave. Functional limitations were assessed in the post-stroke waves. Each stroke survivor was matched with 5 stroke-free adults who had similar propensity scores computed on the basis of key covariates, including baseline age, sex, body mass index, limitations in ADL and IADL, chronic conditions and country of residence, before any of the participants from either cohort had experienced a stroke.

Results

Results showed an interaction between stroke status and physical activity on ADL limitations (b = -0.076; 95% CI = -0.142 to -0.011), with the effect of physical activity being stronger in stroke survivors (b = -0.345, 95% CI = -0.438 to -0.252) than in stroke-free adults (b = -0.269, 95% CI = -0.269 to -0.241).

Conclusion

The beneficial effect of pre-stroke physical activity on ADL limitations after stroke is stronger than its effect in matched stroke-free adults followed for a similar number of years.

Impact

Physical activity, an intervention within the physical therapist's scope of practice, is effective in reducing the risk of functional dependence after stroke. Moreover, pre-stroke levels of physical activity can inform the prognosis of functional dependence in stroke survivors.

Physical activity may a probably protective factor for postoperative delirium: the PNDABLE study

Objective

This study aims to explore the relationship between physical activity (PA) and postoperative delirium (POD).

Methods

We selected 400 patients from the Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder and Biomarkers Lifestyle (PNDABLE) database, and the patients in the PNDABLE database were sampled and tested Alzheimer's biomarkers. The diagnosis of POD was made using the Confusion Assessment Scale (CAM) and the severity was assessed using Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS). Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale was used to detect the mental state of the patients. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the level of preoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, such as amyloid β plaque 42 (Aβ42), total tau protein (T-tau), and phosphorylated tau protein (P-tau). Logistic regression, sensitivity analysis, and post hoc analysis were used to explore the relationship between risk and protective factors on POD. We used the mediating effect to explore whether PA mediates the occurrence of POD through CSF biomarkers.

Results

The incidence of POD was 17.5%. According to our research, the consequence prompted that PA might be the protective factor for POD [odds ratio (OR): 0.336, 95% confidence interval (95 CI) 0.206-0.548, P < 0.001]. The result of logistic regression revealed that CSF biomarker Aβ42 (OR: 0.997, 95 CI 0.996-0.999, P < 0.001) might be a protective factor against POD, and the T-tau (OR: 1.006, 95 CI 1.003-1.009, P = 0.001) and P-tau (OR: 1.039, 95 CI 1.018-1.059, P < 0.001) might risk factors for POD. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the correlation between PA and CSF biomarkers in the patients with POD. Mediation effect analysis showed that PA may reduce the occurrence of POD partly through CSF biomarkers, such as Aβ42 (proportion: 11%, P < 0.05), T-tau (proportion: 13%, P < 0.05), and P-tau (proportion: 12%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Physical activity is probably a protective factor for POD and may exert a mediating effect through CSF biomarkers.

Sequential mediation analysis of physical activity, healthy diet, BMI, and academic burnout in the Pakistani educational landscape

Research has indicated a negative impact of physical activity on academic burnout among students, however, there is a paucity of evidence about the underlying mechanism of this association in Pakistani students. The present research seeks to investigate the relationship between physical activity and academic burnout by investigating the potential mediating effects of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and body mass index (BMI). A sample of 596 students using a cross-sectional survey design was gathered from two public universities (Riphah International University and Mohammed Ali Jinnah University) in Rawalpindi, Pakistan from June to July 2022. The study participants were asked to fill out the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3, the Learning Burnout Scale, and the Test of Adherence to MD questionnaires. The study employed descriptive, bivariate, and path analysis through regression utilizing the SPSS software version 27. The findings demonstrated a negative correlation between academic burnout and BMI, physical activity, and adherence to the MD. The relationship between physical activity and academic burnout was mediated by BMI. Physical activity and academic burnout were inversely correlated, with adherence to the MD and BMI interacting as sequential mediators. The outcomes of this research have expanded our knowledge of the association between physical activity and academic burnout and have suggested crucial and appropriate strategies for addressing student academic burnout.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of physical exercise on white matter integrity and cognitive function in older adults

In the context of a globally aging population, exploring interventions that counteract age-related cognitive decline and cerebral structural alterations is paramount. Among various strategies, physical exercise (PE) emerges as a prevalent activity routinely incorporated in many individuals' lives. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to elucidate the impact of PE on white matter (WM) integrity and cognitive function in older adults. Data from 581 participants, 312 in the PE intervention group, and 269 in the control group were extracted from nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) retrieved from databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. The results indicated a significant improvement in white matter (WM) integrity in individuals engaged in PE, as evidenced by enhanced fractional anisotropy (FA) scores (SMD = 0.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.05, 0.75], P = 0.024). The GRADE assessment revealed a moderate risk. However, no significant associations were found between PE and other metrics such as radial diffusivity (RD), mean diffusivity (MD), white matter volume (WMV), hippocampal volume (HV), and cognitive functions (executive function [EF], memory, processing speed). In conclusion, our study emphasizes the potential neurostructural and cognitive functional benefits of physical exercise for the brain health of older adults.

Effect of exposure to disinfection by-products during swimming exercise on asthma-related immune responses

Swimming is a widely practiced exercise in modern society, where there is a heightened interest in health. The exceptional benefits of swimming are well-known, yet the issue of water quality management inevitably arises due to its nature as an aquatic exercise. Several studies reported that chlorine disinfectants commonly used in swimming pool water disinfection could degrade into toxic disinfection by-products (DBPs) and suggested that the DBPs might induce respiratory disorders, including asthma. Conversely, there were also reports that the DBPs had no significant effects on respiratory conditions. In this study, we investigated the influence of swimming exercise and DBPs on asthma. The decomposition products had little effect on the number of T cells in various immune organs. However, swimming exercise was found to increase the cell count in proportion to the exercise duration. Nevertheless, there were no significant changes in other immune cells and the secretion of asthma-related cytokines. These findings indicate that the effects of swimming pool DBPs on respiratory conditions during swimming exercise are either negligible or absent, and instead, the immunological benefits gained through consistent swimming exercise outweigh any potential drawbacks.

Sense of time is slower following exhaustive cycling exercise

Subjective perception of time is altered during vigorous exercise. This could be due in part to the fatigue associated with physical activity at high intensities. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fatigue, specifically, on subjective time perception. Twenty-six healthy, untrained subjects (17 men/9 women; age = 26.0 ± 4.3 years;V ˙ O 2 peak = 38.13 ± 5.62 mL/kg/min) completed a maximal aerobic exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Time perception was assessed before (PRE) and after (POST) the exercise test using a time production task wherein subjects started a stopwatch and stopped it once they believed a designated time period had passed. This time produced with the stopwatch was the estimate of the target time that was compared to the target time interval. Relative error of the timing task was significantly higher for POST (0.112 ± 0.260) than for PRE (0.028 ± 0.173), p = .032, η2 = .178. Subjects produced ~ 8.4% more time than the target intervals when fatigued, which is indicative of a slower sense of time perception. A shift in attentional focus from timing to the sensations associated with fatigue is a possible factor to explain this result. Future studies which investigate the effects of exercise on time perception should consider the impact of fatigue experienced during exercise.

Acute effects of high-intensity exercise on brain mechanical properties and cognitive function

Previous studies have shown that engagement in even a single session of exercise can improve cognitive performance in the short term. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms contributing to this effect are still being studied. Recently, with improvements to advanced quantitative neuroimaging techniques, brain tissue mechanical properties can be sensitively and noninvasively measured with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and regional brain mechanical properties have been shown to reflect individual cognitive performance. Here we assess brain mechanical properties before and immediately after engagement in a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) regimen, as well as one-hour post-exercise. We find that immediately after exercise, subjects in the HIIT group had an average global brain stiffness decrease of 4.2% (p < 0.001), and an average brain damping ratio increase of 3.1% (p = 0.002). In contrast, control participants who did not engage in exercise showed no significant change over time in either stiffness or damping ratio. Changes in brain mechanical properties with exercise appeared to be regionally dependent, with the hippocampus decreasing in stiffness by 10.4%. We also found that one-hour after exercise, brain mechanical properties returned to initial baseline values. The magnitude of changes to brain mechanical properties also correlated with improvements in reaction time on executive control tasks (Eriksen Flanker and Stroop) with exercise. Understanding the neural changes that arise in response to exercise may inform potential mechanisms behind improvements to cognitive performance with acute exercise.

The Relationship between Live Sports Learning and Exercise Behavior in College Students: A Serial Mediation Model

Physical exercise is crucial to the development of students' physical and mental health. This study explored the relationship between live sports learning and college students' exercise behaviors, and the mediating roles of exercise motivation and exercise commitment, aiming to provide theoretical bases for the future that explain the mechanism of live sports learning in exercise behaviors, as well as practical guidance for the promotion of positive physical exercise behaviors in college students. In total, 1189 college students from China volunteered to complete questionnaires. The results showed that live sports learning positively predicted college students' exercise behavior and that live sports learning was able to affect exercise behavior through the mediating roles of exercise motivation and exercise commitment, with specific mediating paths including the two independent mediating paths and a serial mediating path of exercise motivation and exercise commitment. This study confirmed, for the first time, on live sports learning in the process of promoting exercise behavior. It is suggested that educators instruct college students to regulate their participation in live sports learning and to cultivate healthy exercise motivation and exercise commitment, which is an effective way to facilitate college students' practice of physical activity.

Neurovascular Mechanisms of Cognitive Aging: Sex-Related Differences in the Average Progression of Arteriosclerosis, White Matter Atrophy, and Cognitive Decline

Arterial stiffness (arteriosclerosis) has been linked to heightened risks for cognitive decline, and ultimately for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Importantly, neurovascular outcomes generally vary according to one's biological sex. Here, capitalizing on a large sample of participants with neuroimaging and behavioral data ( N = 203, age range = 18-87 years), we aimed to provide support for a hierarchical model of neurocognitive aging, which links age-related declines in cerebrovascular health to the rate of cognitive decline via a series of intervening variables, such as white matter integrity. By applying a novel piecewise regression approach to our cross-sectional sample to support Granger-like causality inferences, we show that, on average, a precipitous decline in cerebral arterial elasticity (measured with diffuse optical imaging of the cerebral arterial pulse; pulse-DOT) temporally precedes an acceleration in the development of white matter lesions by nearly a decade, with women protected from these deleterious effects until approximately age 50, the average onset of menopause. By employing multiple-mediator path analyses while controlling for sex, we show that age may impair cognition via the sequential indirect effects of arteriosclerosis and white matter atrophy on fluid, but not crystallized, abilities. Importantly, we replicate these results using pulse pressure, an independent index of arterial health, thereby providing converging evidence for the central role of arteriosclerosis as an accelerating factor in normal and pathological aging and identifying robust sex-related differences in the progression of cerebral arteriosclerosis and white matter degradation.

Inverted U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and phenotypic age in US adults: a population-based study

Sleep is a modifiable behavior that can be targeted in interventions aimed at promoting healthy aging. This study aims to (i) identify the sleep duration trend in US adults; (ii) investigate the relationship between sleep duration and phenotypic age; and (iii) explore the role of exercise in this relationship. Phenotypic age as a novel index was calculated according to biomarkers collected from US adults based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Sleep information was self-reported by participants and discerned through individual interviews. The principal analytical method employed was weighted multivariable linear regression modeling, which accommodated for the complex multi-stage sampling design. The potential non-linear relationship was explored using a restricted cubic spline (RCS) model. Furthermore, subgroup analyses evaluated the potential effects of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors on the primary study outcomes. A total of 13,569 participants were finally included in, thereby resulting in a weighted population of 78,880,615. An examination of the temporal trends in sleep duration revealed a declining proportion of individuals with insufficient and markedly deficient sleep time since the 2015-2016 cycle. Taken normal sleep group as a reference, participants with extreme short sleep [β (95% CI) 0.582 (0.018, 1.146), p = 0.044] and long sleep [β (95% CI) 0.694 (0.186, 1.203), p = 0.010] were both positively associated with phenotypic age using the fully adjusted model. According to the dose-response relationship between sleep duration and phenotypic age, long sleep duration can benefit from regular exercise activity, whereas short sleep duration with more exercise tended to have higher phenotypic age. There is an inverted U-shaped relationship between short and long sleep durations and phenotypic age. This study represents an important step forward in our understanding of the complex relationship between sleep and healthy aging. By shedding light on this topic and providing practical exercise recommendations for promoting healthy sleep habits, researchers can help individuals live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

Morning compared to afternoon school-based exercise on cognitive function in adolescents

PURPOSE

Adolescents may be less ready to learn in the mornings due to a propensity for waking up later. High-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) has been shown to acutely improve cognitive functioning in teenagers. This within-measures study explored whether the benefit of HIIE differs when delivered in the morning or afternoon.

METHODS

37 teenagers (19 boys, 13.7 ± 0.4 years) each completed 3 trials in school; morning HIIE (MORN), afternoon HIIE (AFTER) and a no-exercise control trial (CON). The HIIE involved 10x10 second sprints, interspersed by 50 s of walking. Cognitive function was assessed using a battery of computerised tasks four times over the course of the day.

RESULTS

Z scores for reaction time, but not proportion of correct responses, were improved 45 min post exercise in the MORN trial (P < 0.01, d = 0.47), and this improvement persisted until the third (P = 0.04, d = 0.34), but not final (P = 0.93, d = 0.01), time point. Global reaction time was not improved 45 min post exercise in the AFTER trial (P = 0.17, d = 0.20). Global reaction time was quicker 45 min post morning exercise compared to the same time point in CON (P = 0.02, d = 0.56) and AFTER (P = 0.01, d = 0.72).

CONCLUSION

HIIE may be more effectual in improving cognitive functioning when delivered in the morning.

Developmental associations of fundamental motor skills and executive functions in preschoolers - The role of the physical activity and the effects on early numeracy

BACKGROUND

Physical activity, fundamental motor skills, executive functions and early numeracy have shown to be related, but very little is known about the developmental relations of these factors.

PROCEDURE

We followed 317 children (3-6 years) over two years. Fundamental motor skills and executive functions (inhibition+switching, updating) were measured at all time points (T1, T2, T3) and physical activity at T1 and early numeracy at T3.

MAIN FINDINGS

Children with better fundamental motor skills at T1 developed slower in inhibition and switching. Fundamental motor skills developed faster in children who had better initial inhibition and switching ability. Vigorous physical activity at T1 was associated with a weaker initial inhibition and switching. The initial level and the developmental rate of updating were related to better early numeracy skills.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate that fundamental motor skills and executive functions are developmentally related, and updating is an important predictor for early numeracy in preschoolers.

Causal Relationships Between Screen Use, Reading, and Brain Development in Early Adolescents

The rise of new media has greatly changed the lifestyles, leading to increased time on these platforms and less time spent reading. This shift has particularly profound impacts on early adolescents, who are in a critical stage of brain development. Previous studies have found associations between screen use and mental health, but it remains unclear whether screen use is the direct cause of the outcomes. Here, the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) dataset is utlized to examine the causal relationships between screen use and brain development. The results revealed adverse causal effects of screen use on language ability and specific behaviors in early adolescents, while reading has positive causal effects on their language ability and brain volume in the frontal and temporal regions. Interestingly, increased screen use is identified as a result, rather than a cause, of certain behaviors such as rule-breaking and aggressive behaviors. Furthermore, the analysis uncovered an indirect influence of screen use, mediated by changes in reading habits, on brain development. These findings provide new evidence for the causal influences of screen use on brain development and highlight the importance of monitoring media use and related habit change in children.

Is an 8-Week Regimen of Nordic Walking Training Sufficient to Benefit Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Adults? A Pilot Study

Nordic walking requires the association of walking and coordination of limbs while orienteering in a natural environment. It has been shown to improve functional capacities more than normal walking. However, its cognitive benefits are less clear. The main hypothesis was that this training improves visuospatial capacities and inhibition functions. A total of 14 healthy older adults were included. The training was performed in three sessions of 75 min a week for 8 weeks. Pre-, intermediate, and post-tests were carried out. Cognitive functions including global cognition (MoCA), executive functions (Color-Word Stroop test), speed of information processing, switching capacities (Trail Making Test A and B), and visuospatial capacities (Rey Complex Figure Copy Task) were assessed. Motor functions including balance control (Unipedal Balance Test), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go), hamstring flexibility (Chair Sit and Reach test), and motor coordination (Four-Square Stepping Test) were evaluated. Physical function, including lower limb strength (Timed Sit-To-Stand) and cardiovascular capacities (Incremental Shuttle Walking Test), was measured. Cardiovascular capacity, strength of lower limbs, and motor coordination were positively affected by training. With respect to cognition, training improved visuospatial capacities, while switching capacities, information processing speed, and executive functions did not improve. A possible explanation is that they needed a longer program duration to show benefits. However, analyses of responders suggested that NW positively affected cognitive functioning in a subset of participants. Eight weeks of NW training produced physical, motor, and cognitive improvements. A longer training duration could be necessary to extend the benefits to executive functions in all participants.

Chronic exercise interventions for executive function in overweight children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of chronic exercise in physical activity (PA) as an intervention for executive functions (EFs) in children.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search in the following online databases: Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and EBSCOhost. The timing is from database inception to July 2023, following PRISMA guidelines. Our inclusion criteria required studies reporting executive function (EF) levels in overweight children (age 0-18 years) before and after interventions. The Cochrane risk of bias tool assessed study bias, and Egger's test examined publication bias. Subgroup analyses considered three moderators: intervention duration, weekly frequency, and session length.

Results

The meta-analysis included a total of 10 studies with 843 participants. It revealed a statistically significant yet relatively small overall positive effect (g = 0.3, 95% CI 0.16-0.44, P < 0.01) of chronic exercise on EF in overweight children. Importantly, there was no significant heterogeneity (Q = 11.64, df = 12, P = 0.48; I2 = 0).

Conclusions

Chronic exercise interventions had a consistent positive impact on EF, irrespective of intervention duration, weekly frequency, or session length. However, given limitations in the number and design of studies, further high-quality research is needed to strengthen these conclusions.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO identifier (CRD42023468588).

Effects of square dance exercise on cognitive function in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment: the mediating role of balance ability and executive function

BACKGROUND

Square dancing is a kind of aerobic fitness exercise without environmental restrictions that yields many benefits for physical and mental health; this exercise is popular among middle-aged and elderly people in China and in these populations in other countries. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of square dance exercise on the overall cognitive function of elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to research its mechanisms.

METHODS

A total of 60 elderly people with MCI (60-69 years old) without square dance experience were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The experimental group participated in square dance exercise for 12 weeks, while the control group maintained their original lifestyle habits. One week before and after the intervention period, the overall cognitive function, physical fitness, and executive function of both groups were measured.

RESULTS

According to the results, square dance exercise directly improved the overall cognitive function of elderly individuals with MCI and indirectly affected overall cognitive function through the mediating effects of balance ability and executive function.

CONCLUSIONS

Square dance exercise represents a nonpharmacological intervention for the prevention and treatment of MCI. Importantly, it is best to combine this exercise with other forms of physical exercise and comprehensive treatment programs such as cognitive training, social interaction, and psychological intervention to realize its maximum effect.

Irisin: An unveiled bridge between physical exercise and a healthy brain

AIMS

Physical exercise has been widely recognized for its positive effects on health and well-being. Recently, the impact of exercise on the nervous system has gained attention, with evidence indicating improvements in attention, memory, neurogenesis, and the release of "happiness hormones." One potential mediator of these benefits is Irisin, a myokine induced by exercise that can cross the blood-brain barrier, reduce neuroinflammation, and counteract neurodegeneration. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review of animal trials to summarize the neuroprotective effects of Irisin injection in mitigating neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two independent reviewers screened three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar) in November 2022. Animal studies assessing the neuroprotective effects of Irisin in mitigating neuroinflammation or counteracting neurodegeneration were included. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using SYRCLE's Risk of Bias tool.

KEY FINDINGS

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Irisin injection in rodents significantly reduced neuroinflammation, cytokine cascades, and neurodegeneration. It also protected neurons from damage and apoptosis, reduced oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier disruption, and neurobehavioral deficits following disease or injury. Various mechanisms were suggested to be responsible for these neuroprotective effects. Most of the included studies presented a low risk of bias based on SYRCLE's Risk of Bias tool. Irisin injection demonstrated the potential to alleviate neuroinflammation and counteract neurodegeneration in rodent models through multiple pathways. However, further research is needed to fully understand its mechanism of action and its potential applications in clinical practice and drug discovery.

Cerebral Benefits Induced by Electrical Muscle Stimulation: Evidence from a Human and Rat Study

Physical exercise (EX) is well established for its positive impact on brain health. However, conventional EX may not be feasible for certain individuals. In this regard, this study explores electromyostimulation (EMS) as a potential alternative for enhancing cognitive function. Conducted on both human participants and rats, the study involved two sessions of EMS applied to the quadriceps with a duration of 30 min at one-week intervals. The human subjects experienced assessments of cognition and mood, while the rats underwent histological and biochemical analyses on the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and quadriceps. Our findings indicated that EMS enhanced executive functions and reduced anxiety in humans. In parallel, our results from the animal studies revealed an elevation in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), specifically in the hippocampus. Intriguingly, this increase was not associated with heightened neuronal activity or cerebral hemodynamics; instead, our data point towards a humoral interaction from muscle to brain. While no evidence of increased muscle and circulating BDNF or FNDC5/irisin pathways could be found, our data highlight lactate as a bridging signaling molecule of the muscle-brain crosstalk following EMS. In conclusion, our results suggest that EMS could be an effective alternative to conventional EX for enhancing both brain health and cognitive function.

Mediating role of inhibitory control in relationships between cardiovascular fitness and academic achievement in preadolescents

Cardiovascular fitness (CRF) has been consistently linked to cognitive performance and academic achievement, and inhibitory control has been recognized as a key predictor of academic success. However, few studies have explored whether inhibitory control mediates the relationship between CRF and academic performance in children, and the existing findings are inconclusive because of certain limitations. This study investigated the mediating role of inhibitory control in the association between CRF and academic achievement among preadolescents while also addressing the related limitations. This study enrolled a total of 175 elementary school students (70 girls, mean age=11.17years, standard deviation=0.7), who participated in a half-mile test for assessing their CRF level. Additionally, inhibitory control was measured using the Stroop Color and Word Test (Stroop test), and language and mathematics tests were administered to measure their academic performance. The results revealed that the participants with higher CRF levels achieved superior performance in tasks requiring a high level of inhibitory control (r=0.291, P<0.001) and in Chinese language (r=-0.415, P<0.001) and mathematics (r=-0.366, P<0.001) tests even when gender, age, and body fat were considered. Furthermore, a mediation analysis revealed that inhibitory control, as measured through the incongruent trials of the Stroop test, partially mediated the relationship between CRF and academic performance (language: indirect effect=-0.013, 95% CI [-0.019, -0.008]; math: indirect effect=-0.013, 95% CI [-0.021, -0.009]). These findings have major implications for child development, emphasizing the key role of inhibitory control in the beneficial effects of CRF on academic achievement.