A Single 30 Minutes Bout of Combination Physical Exercises Improved Inhibition and Vigor-Mood in Middle-Aged and Older Females: Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Affective Responses to Acute Exercise: A Meta-Analysis of the Potential Beneficial Effects of a Single Bout of Exercise on General Mood, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Acute exercise elicits various biobehavioral and psychological responses, but results are mixed with regard to the magnitude of exercise-induced affective reactions. This meta-analysis examines the magnitude of general mood state, anxiety, and depressive symptom responses to acute exercise while exploring exercise protocol characteristics and background health behaviors that may play a role in the affective response.

METHODS

A total of 2770 articles were identified from a MEDLINE/PubMed search and an additional 133 articles from reviews of reference sections. Studies had to have measured general mood before the acute exercise bout and within 30 minutes after exercise completion. Effect sizes were estimated using Hedges' g , with larger values indicating improvement in the outcome measure.

RESULTS

A total of 103 studies were included presenting data from 4671 participants. General mood state improved from preexercise to postexercise ( g = 0.336, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.234-0.439). Anxiety ( g = 0.497, 95% CI = 0.263-0.730) and depressive symptoms ( g = 0.407, 95% CI = 0.249-0.564) also improved with exercise. There was substantial and statistically significant heterogeneity in each of these meta-analyses. This heterogeneity was not explained by differences in participants' health status. Meta-regression analyses with potential moderators (intensity of exercise, mode of exercise, usual physical activity level, or weight status of participants) also did not reduce the heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis shows significantly improved general mood, decreased anxiety, and lower depressive symptoms in response to an acute bout of exercise. There was substantial heterogeneity in the magnitude of the effect sizes, indicating that additional research is needed to identify determinants of a positive affective response to acute exercise.

Prevalence and associated factors of low vigor in patients living with HIV and hemophilia in Japan: A cross-sectional observational study

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at high risk of mental health problems. However, little is known about this risk in HIV-infected patients with hemophilia (HPH) who contracted the virus through blood products. This cross-sectional, observational study assessed patients' mood states and the factors associated with them among Japanese HPH to evaluate the need for psychosocial support. HPH completed self-administered questionnaires (Profile of Mood States [POMS] and General Health Questionnaire-28), neuropsychological tests, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerized tomography scans. HIV-infected patients with no hemophilia (HPnH) completed POMS and neuropsychological tests. Socio-demographic characteristics and HIV- and hemophilia-related data were obtained from participants' medical records and interviews. A Mann-Whitney U test and chi-squared analyses were conducted. Fifty-six HPH and 388 HPnH completed the questionnaires and neuropsychological tests. HPH had a significantly lower prevalence of tension-anxiety (HPH, 7%; HPnH, 18%; p = 0.049) and a significantly higher prevalence of low vigor (HPH, 63%; HPnH, 32%; p < 0.001). Low vigor in HPH was significantly associated with impaired executive function (low vigor, 66%; high vigor, 33%; p = 0.019) and a social dysfunction score ≥ 3 (moderate; low vigor, 26%; high vigor, 5%; p = 0.047). Our results highlight the high prevalence of low vigor among HPH, leading to impairments in executive and social functions. Therefore, healthcare workers need to pay attention to the vigor, executive function, and social function of HPH.

Moving Beyond Depression: Mood Symptoms Across the Spectrum Relate to Tau Pathology in Older Women at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

We examined how symptoms across the mood spectrum relate to Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers in older women at high risk for AD. Participants included 25 women aged 65+ with mild cognitive deficits and elevated AD genetic risk. The Profile of Mood States Questionnaire measured mood symptoms and a total mood disturbance (TMD) score. Tau burden in the meta-temporal region of interest was measured using MK-6240 Tau positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. A subset (n = 12) also had p-Tau181, and Aß40/42 levels measured in plasma. Higher TMD scores related to higher tau PET standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR). Greater negative mood symptoms correlated with higher tau PET SUVR, while greater vigor correlated with lower SUVR. Similar results were seen with plasma p-Tau181 levels, but not with Aβ40/42 levels. In conclusion, positive and negative mood symptoms related to tau pathology in older women at high risk for AD, highlighting a role of mental well-being in AD risk.

Cognitive Performance following Single- or Multi-Session Exercise Intervention in Middle Age: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Research in modifiable behaviors, like exercise, on risk for dementia is increasing. Although many studies focus on older adults, brain pathology for Alzheimer's Disease can begin in middle age, suggesting an ideal target for intervention.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review from exercise intervention studies on cognitive function among healthy, middle-aged participants (45-65). We searched multiple databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar) for studies using standard, validated, neuropsychological measures following either single- or multi-session interventions in cognitively-unimpaired, middle-aged adults.

RESULTS

We identified 13 eligible studies. There was notable heterogeneity across studies, with varying design, measures, interventions, and results. Results from single-session studies showed improvement in response inhibition, while results for cognitive flexibility were mixed. No significant changes were found on measures of attention, working memory, or processing speed. Results from multi-session studies were more varied. Verbal memory was found to improve while performance on tests of attention and working memory, processing speed, and executive function were mixed.

CONCLUSION

Importantly, for both single-session and multi-session studies, there was no standard set of neuropsychological tests administered, making it more difficult to synthesize the findings into a single narrative. We end with a discussion on future directions and implementation.

Effects of Physical Exercise on Executive Functions among College Students in China: Exploring the Influence of Exercise Intensity and Duration

BACKGROUND

This study investigates the effects of exercise intensity and duration on executive functions among college students in China.

METHOD

Participants in this study were Chinese college students divided into four groups based on exercise duration and intensity. Each group engaged in physical exercise twice a week for six weeks. Group 1 performed low-intensity exercises for 10 min per session; Group 2 performed low-intensity exercises for 20 min per session; Group 3 performed high-intensity exercises for 10 min per session; and Group 4 performed high-intensity exercise for 20 min per session. Executive functions were assessed in all subjects before the experiment (time 1), after one exercise session (time 2), at the end of the exercise program (time 3), and six weeks after the exercise program (time 4). A mixed ANOVA with a 2 (exercise intensity: low/high) × 2 (duration: short/long) × 4 (time of measurement: time 1/time 2/time 3/time 4) design was employed, with exercise intensity and exercise duration as independent variables and executive functions as the dependent variable.

RESULTS

Mixed ANOVA showed that the results revealed a significant main effect of measurement time on working memory accuracy (p < 0.001) and reaction time (p < 0.001); inhibition control accuracy (p < 0.001) and reaction time (p < 0.001); cognitive flexibility accuracy (p < 0.001) and reaction time (p < 0.001). A single session of high-intensity exercise significantly improved executive functions in college students. Both low-intensity and high-intensity exercise were effective in enhancing executive functions, with high-intensity exercise demonstrating better maintenance of the effect.

CONCLUSION

Both exercise intensity and exercise duration were found to enhance executive functions in college students, with exercise intensity showing greater effectiveness than exercise duration.

The effect of acute exercise on cognitive and motor inhibition - Does fitness moderate this effect?

BACKGROUND

Given the extensive evidence on improvements in cognitive inhibition immediately following exercise, and the literature indicating that cognitive and motor inhibitory functions are mediated by overlapping brain networks, the aim of this study was to assess, for the first time, the effect of moderate intensity acute aerobic exercise on multi-limb motor inhibition, as compared to cognitive inhibition.

METHOD

Participants were 36 healthy adults aged 40-60 years old (mean age 46.8 ± 5.7), who were randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. One-to-two weeks following baseline assessment, participants were asked to perform a three-limb (3-Limb) inhibition task and a vocal version of the Stroop before and after either acute moderate-intense aerobic exercise (experimental group) or rest (control).

RESULTS

Similar rates of improvement were observed among both groups from baseline to the pre-test. Conversely, a meaningful, yet non-significant trend was seen among the experimental group in their pretest to posttest improvement in both cognitive and motor tasks. In addition, exploratory analysis revealed significant group differences in favor of the experimental group among highly fit participants on the 3-Limb task. A significant correlation was indicated between the inhibition conditions, i.e., choice in the motor inhibition and color/word (incongruent) in the cognitive inhibition, especially in the improvement observed following the exercise.

DISCUSSION

Moderate-intensity acute aerobic exercise is a potential stimulator of both multi-limb motor inhibition and cognitive inhibition. It appears that high-fit participants benefit from exercise more than low-fit people. Additionally, performance on behavioral tasks that represent motor and cognitive inhibition is related. This observation suggests that fitness levels and acute exercise contribute to the coupling between cognitive and motor inhibition. Neuroimaging methods would allow examining brain-behavior associations of exercise-induced changes in the brain.

Auditory Cognitive Training Improves Brain Plasticity in Healthy Older Adults: Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial

The number of older adults is increasing globally. Aging is associated with cognitive and sensory decline. Additionally, declined auditory performance and cognitive function affect the quality of life of older adults. Therefore, it is important to develop an intervention method to improve both auditory and cognitive performances. The current study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of auditory and cognitive training on auditory ability and cognitive functions in healthy older adults. Fifty healthy older adults were randomly divided into four training groups—an auditory-cognitive training group (AC training; n = 13), an auditory training group (A training; n = 13), a cognitive training group (C training; n = 14), and an active control group (n = 12). During the training period, we reduced the sound intensity level in AC and A training groups and increase training task difficulty in AC, A, and C training groups based on participants’ performance. Cognitive function measures [digit-cancelation test (D-CAT); logical memory (LM); digit span (DS)], auditory measures [pure-tone audiometry (PTA)], and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed before and after the training periods. We found three key findings. First, the AC training group showed difference between other training groups (A, C, and active control training groups) in regional gray matter volume (rGMV) in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the left inferior temporal gyrus (L. ITG), the left superior frontal gyrus, the left orbitofrontal cortex, the right cerebellum (lobule 7 Crus 1). Second, the auditory training factor groups (ATFGs, the AC and A training groups) improved auditory measures and increased the rGMV and functional connectivity (FC) in the left temporal pole compared to the non-ATFGs (the C training group and active control group). Third, the cognitive training factor groups (CTFGs; the AC and C training groups) showed statistically significant improvement in cognitive performances in LM and D-CAT compared to the non-CTFGs (the A training group and active control group). Therefore, the auditory training factor and cognitive training factor would be useful in enhancing the quality of life of older adults. The current AC training study, the plasticity of the brain structure was observed after 4 weeks of training.

Acute aerobic exercise and attentional focus influence the self-positivity bias in emotional evaluation. Evidence from an experimental study

The influence of aerobic exercise, as a possibly mood-enhancing experience, was investigated for its effect on emotional evaluation of self- vs. other-related emotional (e.g., my/his joy) or neutral (e.g., my/his notes) stimuli. N=30 participants (healthy, female novices, i.e., with no regular, dedicated training schedule) performed four separate sessions of moderate aerobic exercise (22 min of cycling at 60-70% HRmax). Attentional focus was manipulated across exercise bouts (internal focus vs. external focus vs. no instructed attention focus vs. control condition consisting of no exercise and no instructed attention focus). Emotional evaluation of verbal stimuli was assessed 10 minutes after each exercise bout. Exercise increased self-reported positive affect compared to the inactive control condition regardless of attentional focus. Exercising without instructed attentional focus led to faster reaction times in the emotional evaluation task compared to the inactive control condition. Instructed internal or external attentional focus did not affect evaluations (number of valence-congruent responses) or reaction times compared to the no-exercise control condition. Self-reported internal attentional focus during cycling was associated with a subsequently stronger, and in the case of an external focus with a subsequently rather reduced self-positivity bias in the evaluation of self-related, positive vs. other-related positive words.

Subjective hearing handicap is associated with processing speed and visuospatial performance in older adults without severe hearing handicap

OBJECTIVE

Age-related hearing loss is a common disorder with significant consequences for quality of life. This study assessed the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) and cognition (Mini Mental State Exam; MMSE, Logical Memory; LM, Symbol Search; SS, Stroop Test; ST, and Mental Rotation; MR) to investigate which cognitive domains are most strongly involved with hearing self-assessment in older adults.

METHODS

The HHIE and cognitive measures were administered to 196 older adults (average age = 67.7 ± 4.3 years, male 56, female 140) without cognitive impairment and without severe hearing handicap. We conducted permutation tests of multiple regression analysis of the standardized scores on the HHIE and cognitive tests.

RESULTS

HHIE showed a significant negative correlation between processing speed performance on the SS (standardized β = -0.095, adjusted p = 0.04) and visuospatial performance on the MR (standardized β = -0.145, adjusted p = 0.04), and no correlation between the scores of the HHIE and either episodic memory performance on the LM (standardized β = 0.060, adjusted p = 0.22) or executive function performance on the ST (standardized β = 0.053, adjusted p = 0.32).

CONCLUSION

People reporting higher hearing handicaps should watch for poor cognitive function in processing speed and visuospatial abilities. These results imply that higher HHIE can have adverse effects on age-related cognitive decline.

Comparison Between the Effects of Continuous and Intermittent Light-Intensity Aerobic Dance Exercise on Mood and Executive Functions in Older Adults

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that one bout of moderate-intensity exercise enhances executive functions in older adults. However, in terms of safety, feasibility, and continuity, older individuals prefer light, easy, and fun exercises to moderate and stressful exercises for improving executive functions. Therefore, light-intensity aerobic dance exercise (LADE) could be suitable if it produces potential benefits related to executive functions. As for continuous vs. intermittent exercise, intermittent exercise has received a lot of attention, as it results in greater effects on mood and executive functions than continuous exercise; however, its effects in older adults remain uncertain. Thus, in this study, we aimed to examine the acute effects of intermittent LADE (I-LADE) in comparison with those of continuous LADE (C-LADE) on mood and executive functions. Fifteen healthy older adults participated in 10-min I-LADE and C-LADE conditions on separate days. Perceived enjoyment following exercise was assessed using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). The pleasantness of the mood during exercise and pleasure and arousal levels after exercise were assessed using the Feeling Scale and Two-Dimensional Mood Scale, respectively. Executive function was assessed using the Stroop task before and after exercise. As a result, pleasantness of the mood during exercise and exercise enjoyment levels were greater in I-LADE than in C-LADE. Arousal and pleasure levels and Stroop task performance increased after both LADEs and did not differ between the two exercise conditions. These findings suggest that although enhancement of mood and executive functions after exercise did not differ between C-LADE and I-LADE, I-LADE could be more enjoyable and fun than C-LADE. This study will help in the development of exercise conditions that can enable the elderly to enhance their executive functions in a fun way.

Effects of a Brief Stair-Climbing Intervention on Cognitive Functioning and Mood States in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Despite an abundance of evidence that exercise benefits cognition and mood, physical activity levels among older adults remain low, with time and inaccessibility posing major barriers. Interval stair climbing is an accessible time-efficient form of physical activity demonstrated to benefit cognition and mood in young adults, but effectiveness in older adults remains unknown. To address this, 28 older adults (Mage = 69.78 years, 16 females) undertook cognitive and mood assessments twice, 1 week apart, once preceded by interval stair climbing. A fairly large, albeit only marginally significant, effect size (ηp2=.12) indicated improved cognition following the moderate- to high-intensity intervention; however, rather than improving mood, older adults reported feeling more tired (g = 0.51). These outcomes provide initial indications that this mode of exercise that can easily translate to naturalistic settings offers promise as an intervention strategy, but more research is needed to optimize the protocol to suit aged populations (ACTRN1261900169014).

Benefits of VR Physical Exercise on Cognition in Older Adults with and without Mild Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

It is well known that physical exercise has beneficial effects on cognitive function in older adults. Recently, several physical exercise programs with virtual reality (VR) have been proposed to support physical exercise benefits. However, it is still unclear whether VR physical exercise (VR-PE) has positive effects on cognitive function in older adults. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review (SR) of the effects of VR-PE on cognitive function in older adults with and without cognitive decline. We used academic databases to search for research papers. The criteria were intervention study using any VR-PE, participants were older adults with and without mild cognitive decline (not dementia), and cognitive functions were assessed. We found that 6 of 11 eligible studies reported the significant benefits of the VR-PE on a wide range of cognitive functions in aging populations. The SR revealed that VR-PE has beneficial effects on the inhibition of executive functions in older adults with and without mild cognitive decline. Moreover, VR-PE selectively leads to improvements in shifting and general cognitive performance in healthy older adults. The SR suggests that VR-PE could be a successful approach to improve cognitive function in older adults with and without cognitive decline.

Behavioral and Neurophysiological Aspects of Inhibition-The Effects of Acute Cardiovascular Exercise

This review summarizes behavioral and neurophysiological aspects of inhibitory control affected by a single bout of cardiovascular exercise. The review also examines the effect of a single bout of cardiovascular exercise on these processes in young adults with a focus on the functioning of prefrontal pathways (including the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and elements of the prefrontal-basal ganglia pathways). Finally, the review offers an overview on the potential effects of cardiovascular exercise on GABA-ergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in the adult brain and propose mechanisms or processes that may mediate these effects. The main findings show that a single bout of cardiovascular exercise can enhance inhibitory control. In addition, acute exercise appears to facilitate activation of prefrontal brain regions that regulate excitatory and inhibitory pathways (specifically but not exclusively the prefrontal-basal-ganglia pathways) which appear to be impaired in older age. Based on the reviewed studies, we suggest that future work examine the beneficial effects of exercise on the inhibitory networks in the aging brain.