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Caamaño-Navarrete F, Arriagada-Hernández C, Fuentes-Vilugrón G, Jara-Tomckowiack L, Levin-Catrilao A, del Val Martín P, Muñoz-Troncoso F, Delgado-Floody P. Healthy Lifestyle Related to Executive Functions in Chilean University Students: A Pilot Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1022. [PMID: 38786435 PMCID: PMC11121206 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12101022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A negative lifestyle is reported to be related to cognitive problems. However, there is little information about this in relation to university students. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between executive functions (EFs) and lifestyle parameters (i.e., physical activity (PA), sleep duration, screen time (ST), and food habits) among Chilean university students. METHODS This cross-sectional study included a total of 150 university students (94 females and 56 males, aged 21.28 ± 3.15 and 22.18 ± 2.90 years, respectively). Cognitive outcomes were measured using the CogniFit assessment battery. Lifestyle was measured through validated questionnaires. RESULTS Across the total sample, attention exhibited a positive association with PA h/week (β: 24.34 95% CI: 12.46 to 36.22, p = 0.001). Additionally, coordination was positively associated with PA h/week (β: 15.06 95% CI: 0.62 to 29.50, p < 0.041). PA h/week was positively linked with reasoning (β: 20.34 95% CI: 4.52 to 36.17, p = 0.012) and perception (β: 13.81 95% CI: 4.14 to 23.49, p = 0.005). Moreover, PA h/week was significantly linked to memory (β: 23.01 95% CI: 7.62 to 38.40, p = 0.004). In terms of the EFs, PA h/week showed a positive association with cognitive flexibility (β: 45.60 95% CI: 23.22 to 67.69, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, lifestyle (PA h/week) was positively associated with EFs. Therefore, an increase in PA levels among these students should be a target for community- and university-based interventions in order to promote cognitive development such as attention, coordination, reasoning, perception, memory, and cognitive flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Caamaño-Navarrete
- Physical Education Career, Faculty of Education, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco 4780000, Chile; (F.C.-N.); (C.A.-H.); (G.F.-V.)
- Collaborative Research Group for School Development (GICDE), Temuco 4780000, Chile;
| | - Carlos Arriagada-Hernández
- Physical Education Career, Faculty of Education, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco 4780000, Chile; (F.C.-N.); (C.A.-H.); (G.F.-V.)
- Collaborative Research Group for School Development (GICDE), Temuco 4780000, Chile;
| | - Gerardo Fuentes-Vilugrón
- Physical Education Career, Faculty of Education, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco 4780000, Chile; (F.C.-N.); (C.A.-H.); (G.F.-V.)
- Collaborative Research Group for School Development (GICDE), Temuco 4780000, Chile;
| | - Lorena Jara-Tomckowiack
- Collaborative Research Group for School Development (GICDE), Temuco 4780000, Chile;
- Faculty of Education, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Temuco 4780000, Chile
| | - Alvaro Levin-Catrilao
- Doctoral Programme in Physical Activity Sciences, Faculty of Education Sciences, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile;
| | - Pablo del Val Martín
- Chilean Observatory of Physical Education and School Sport, Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Las Condes, Santiago 7550000, Chile;
| | - Flavio Muñoz-Troncoso
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Arts, Universidad Mayor, Temuco 4780000, Chile;
- Department of Psychology and Anthropology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidad de Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Pedro Delgado-Floody
- Department of Physical Education, Sport and Recreation, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
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Juszczyk-Kalina A, Holas P, Farchione TJ. Effectiveness and mediators of change of an online CBT intervention for students with adjustment disorder-study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2023; 24:777. [PMID: 38041148 PMCID: PMC10691050 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07744-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adjustment problems and disorders are highly prevalent among university students worldwide. These problems can cause significant interference in academic and social functioning and increase vulnerability to other mental health disorders. Unfortunately, only half of students in need receive psychological help. Furthermore, few studies have evaluated psychological interventions for adjustment disorders in students. New, more scalable forms of treatment for students with an adjustment disorder need to be developed, evaluated, and implemented. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of an online transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural intervention for students experiencing adjustment disorder and to assess mediators of change. METHOD/DESIGN In this three-arm randomized controlled trial, we plan to recruit 214 Polish students diagnosed with an adjustment disorder. Participants who meet initial eligibility criteria will be randomly assigned to one of three 6-week conditions: (1) online cognitive behavioural therapy intervention based on an existing, empirically supported transdiagnostic protocol, the unified protocol; (2) online progressive muscle relaxation training as an active control group; or (3) waiting-list control group. Both interventions are asynchronous, interactive, and include minimal amount of therapist support. Assessments will consist of self-report questionnaires, daily diary measures, and neurocognitive tasks for evaluating cognitive functioning. These will be conducted at baseline, post-treatment, and 1-month follow-up. Daily diary measures will be taken during the first and last week of treatment (or waitlist period). Primary outcome measures will include adjustment disorder severity; secondary outcome measures will consist of other negative (psychopathology: depression, anxiety, and stress) and positive (life satisfaction) indexes of mental health as well as process measures (e.g. mindfulness, experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion). DISCUSSION To our knowledge, the current study is the first to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychological intervention for students with adjustment disorder. Therefore, it may have important practical implications for students with this disorder. It can potentially guide the development of a scalable, validated treatment option. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trials, NCT05768308, registered 14 March 2023, https://www. CLINICALTRIALS gov/ct2/show/NCT05768308.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P Holas
- Department of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Wang J, Zhao X, Bi Y, Jiang S, Sun Y, Lang J, Han C. Executive function elevated by long term high-intensity physical activity and the regulation role of beta-band activity in human frontal region. Cogn Neurodyn 2023; 17:1463-1472. [PMID: 37974584 PMCID: PMC10640436 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-022-09905-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of physical activity (PA) to people's health has become a consensus around the world, and regular long-term PA has been accepted as an alternative preventive measure for many chronic medical conditions. Although the daily PA have several benefits for the public, the systematic research on its effect in human physiology, cognition and cerebral nerve level is not fully studied. Hence, in this study, we aim to investigate this question in several specific aspects: basal heart rate, executive function, and neural oscillatory activity in the brain. A total of 146 subjects participated in this study and they were divided into two groups. One group (SG) is the long-term training (more than 8 years) subjects in soccer (n = 31), and the other group (CG) is a normal control group (n = 115). The heart rate was monitored with a portable equipment. Besides, 24 subjects (14 in SG and 10 in CG) participated the Go/No-Go task and EEG recording before and after exercise fatigue task. In the physiology level, we found that in the non-training time, the heart rate in CG group is significantly higher than that of the SG group (P < 0.001). In the cognition level, we found that the SG group has a faster reaction time that that of CG group (P < 0.01), while for the accuracy, two groups did show significant difference. In the neural level in the brain, we found a significant abnormal increased beta-band (around 25 Hz) activity in CG group after the exercise fatigue task immediately. Long-term high-intensity physical activity reduces basal heart rate, improves executive function, and improve the central tolerance of the body under the stimulation of fatigue and stress. These benefits of long-term activity could be used as a manual to guide people's healthy life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxiang Wang
- College of P.E. and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Xudong Zhao
- College of P.E. and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Yan Bi
- College of P.E. and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Shan Jiang
- Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, Faculty of Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077 China
| | - Yinghua Sun
- College of P.E. and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Jian Lang
- College of P.E. and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 China
| | - Chuanliang Han
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen–Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055 China
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Gilmour AM, MacDonald MJ, Cox A, Fairclough SJ, Tyler R. Investigating Ecological Momentary Assessed Physical Activity and Core Executive Functions in 18- to 24-Year-Old Undergraduate Students. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6944. [PMID: 37887683 PMCID: PMC10606779 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20206944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Although evidence for young children (<10) and older adults (>64) highlights an association between physical activity (PA) and executive functions (EFs), there is a paucity of research on adolescents aged 18-24 years. Thus, this study examined the associations between PA and EF and the difference in EF between individuals who achieve the moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) guidelines and those who do not. Forty-seven participants engaged in a Stroop task, a reverse Corsi-block test, and a task-switching test, to measure inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, respectively. An ecological momentary assessment (EMA) was used to determine the participant's MVPA and step count, through the "Pathverse" app. Multiple regressions were run to predict the task-switch cost, the Stroop effect, and the backward Corsi span from time spent in MVPA. A two-way ANCOVA examined the effects of achieving the MVPA guidelines on EF. MVPA and step count did not significantly predict EF. There were no significant differences in EF between participants achieving the MVPA guidelines and those that did not. Time spent in MVPA and step count were not significantly associated with working memory, cognitive flexibility, or inhibition in adolescents. Further research is warranted to understand other factors that may significantly affect EF, within and outside an individual's control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayva-Mae Gilmour
- Movement Behaviours, Health, and Wellbeing Research Group, Department of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk L39 4QP, UK; (M.J.M.); (S.J.F.)
| | - Mhairi J. MacDonald
- Movement Behaviours, Health, and Wellbeing Research Group, Department of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk L39 4QP, UK; (M.J.M.); (S.J.F.)
| | - Ashley Cox
- Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK;
| | - Stuart J. Fairclough
- Movement Behaviours, Health, and Wellbeing Research Group, Department of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk L39 4QP, UK; (M.J.M.); (S.J.F.)
| | - Richard Tyler
- Movement Behaviours, Health, and Wellbeing Research Group, Department of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk L39 4QP, UK; (M.J.M.); (S.J.F.)
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Jiménez-Roldán MJ, Sañudo B, Carrasco Páez L. Influence of High-Intensity Interval Training on IGF-1 Response, Brain Executive Function, Physical Fitness and Quality of Life in Sedentary Young University Women-Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5327. [PMID: 37047943 PMCID: PMC10094041 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Sedentary lifestyles have become a social problem, mainly among women. A sedentary lifestyle has been associated with poorer health in this population, negatively affecting physical and mental health. Physical exercise, in particular high-intensity interval training (HIIT), has been shown to be a neuroprotective tool. The present study provides a protocol design for a parallel-group Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), whose aim will be to compare the effect of two physical interventions, HIIT and physical activity (increasing daily steps), on Insulin Growth Factor-1 (saliva IGF-1 concentrations), executive functions, quality of life, body composition, physical fitness, and physical activity in young sedentary women. At least 77 women will be recruited and randomly assigned to either a HIIT group (12-week exercise HIIT intervention, 3 sessions/week), the HIIT + PA group (12-week exercise HIIT intervention, 3 sessions/week, plus 10,000 steps/day), or a control group (usual care). The primary outcome measure will the chronic change in IGF-1 concentration levels measured in saliva. Secondary outcome measures will be: (i) executive functions; (ii) body composition; (iii) physical fitness; (iv) physical activity; and (v) quality of life. All outcomes will be assessed at the beginning of the study, after the intervention, and after three months of follow-up. After this intervention, we will be able to determine whether HIIT together with increased physical activity could be more effective than HIIT alone in IGF-1 stimulation. Furthermore, by comparing both intervention groups, we will be able to determine the differential effects on numerous health-related variables. Consequently, the conclusions of this study could help better understand the effects of a training program on IGF-1 concentration levels and executive functions. In addition, various strategies could be proposed through physical exercise to improve cognition in this age group, as well as to improve the health status of this sedentary population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Borja Sañudo
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Luis Carrasco Páez
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
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van der Sluys ME, Marhe R, van der Laan PH, Popma A, Scherder EJA. Brief report: Free-living physical activity levels and cognitive control in multi-problem young adults. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:994123. [PMID: 36337855 PMCID: PMC9634251 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.994123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies indicate a positive association between physical activity and cognitive control in sedentary but healthy adults, yet not much is known about physical activity levels in multi-problem young adults. We examined the level of self-reported free-living physical activity (i.e., MET minutes per week) in an ecologically valid sample of young adults facing multiple problems, including unemployment, lack of education, frequent substance use, and history of delinquency. We compared cognitive control with an age- and sex-matched control sample. Additionally, the association between physical activity and cognitive control (i.e., response inhibition, error processing, interference effect) in the multi-problem group was examined. Physical activity and cognitive control were measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form and three cognitive control experiments (i.e., Flanker, Go/NoGo, Stroop), respectively. With M = 4428 Metabolic Equivalents (METs), our multi-problem sample (n = 63) showed physical activity levels similar to the age- and sex-matched control sample from the general population (n = 62). The multi-problem young adults also showed impaired cognitive control indexed as decreased response inhibition and decreased Flanker correctness effect compared to their peers. We could not find an association between self-reported physical activity and cognitive control in the multi-problem sample. Due to the small sample size, results should be interpreted with caution. However, future dose-response studies could still use these results to further examine if within-individual increased physical activity may possibly lead to improved cognitive control in (already relatively active) multi-problem young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elise van der Sluys
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Reshmi Marhe
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Peter H van der Laan
- Department of Criminal Law and Criminology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Arne Popma
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Erik J A Scherder
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Aguirre-Loaiza H, Arias I, Bonilla S, Ramírez R, Ramírez-Herrera S, Nanez J, Barbosa-Granados S, Arenas-Granada J. Effect of acute physical exercise on inhibitory control in young adults: High-intensity indoor cycling session. Physiol Behav 2022; 254:113902. [PMID: 35810836 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that physical exercise (PE) may boost cognitive performance. However, criteria regarding PE intensity, duration, and frequency are still being studied. We hypothesize that high PE intensities have effects on inhibitory control. For this reason, our aim was to study the effect of acute PE on IC in healthy young students of a bachelor's degree in physical education and exercise via a 20-minute indoor cycling session at 80-90% HRmax intensity. We devised an experimental group design (n = 9) relative to a control group (n = 10) with pre-and-post-test IC measures. A Stroop task (two conditions) was administered to undergraduate students (Mage = 23.3, SD = 1.6) of a bachelor's degree program in Physical Education and Sports Sciences from a public university in Colombia. The computed MANOVA did not show an interaction effect between the experimental task of Stroop A-B x measure x group. However, a main effect of reduced response time was obtained after PE in the experimental group. Other main effects were observed in the number of correct and incorrect trials in the Stroop-B condition. The experimental group showed fewer correct answers after PE, and the control group showed fewer errors. It is concluded that high-intensity PE confers favorable effects on inhibitory control.
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Classroom Movement Breaks and Physically Active Learning Are Feasible, Reduce Sedentary Behaviour and Fatigue, and May Increase Focus in University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137775. [PMID: 35805432 PMCID: PMC9265656 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background: University students are mostly sedentary in tertiary education settings which may be detrimental to their health and learning. This review aimed to examine the feasibility and efficacy of classroom movement breaks (CMB) and physically active learning (PAL) on physical and cognitive outcomes in university students in the tertiary setting. Methods: Five electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsychINFO, and PubMed) were searched for articles published up until November 2021. Manual searching of reference lists and citation tracking were also completed. Two reviewers independently applied inclusion and exclusion criteria and completed quality assessment. Articles were included if they evaluated CMB or PAL interventions delivered to university students in a tertiary setting. Results: Of the 1691 articles identified, 14 studies with 5997 participants met the inclusion criteria. Average study quality scores were poor for both CMB and PAL studies. CMBs and PAL are feasible in the tertiary setting and increase physical activity, reduce sedentary behaviour, increase wellbeing, and reduce fatigue in university students. In addition, CMBs increased student focus and attention in class and PAL had no detrimental effect on academic performance. Conclusions: University educators should feel confident in introducing CMB and/or PAL interventions into their classes to improve student health and wellbeing.
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Callow DD, Purcell JJ, Won J, Smith JC. Neurite dispersion and density mediates the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and cognition in healthy younger adults. Neuropsychologia 2022; 169:108207. [PMID: 35259402 PMCID: PMC8985444 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with better cognition across the lifespan. However, the neurobiological underpinnings relating fitness and cognition remain unclear, particularly in healthy younger adults. Using a well-established and popular multi-compartment diffusion modeling approach, called Neurite Orientation and Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI), we investigated the relationship between physical fitness (measured via a 2-min walk test), cognition (fluid and crystallized), and gray and white matter microstructure, in a large sample (n = 816) of healthy younger adults (ages 22-35 years) from the human connectome project (HCP). Concurrent with previous literature, we found that fitness was positively associated with both fluid and crystallized cognition. Furthermore, we found that physical fitness was negatively associated with white matter orientation dispersion index (ODIWM) around the cerebellar peduncle and was negatively associated with widespread cortical and subcortical gray matter neurite density index (NDIGM). Lower ODIWM of the cerebral peduncle was associated with better fluid cognitive performance, while lower NDIGM was associated with better crystallized cognition. Finally, we found that while ODIWM partially mediated the relationship between fitness and fluid cognition, NDIGM partially mediated the relationship between fitness and crystallized cognition. This study is the first to explore the relationship between physical fitness and white and gray matter microstructure measures using NODDI. Our findings suggest that in addition to improved cognitive performance, higher physical fitness may be associated with lower white matter tract dispersion and lower neurite density in the cortical and subcortical gray matter of healthy younger adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D. Callow
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | | | - Junyeon Won
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - J. Carson Smith
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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The Relationship between Cognitive Status and Retained Activity Participation among Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2022; 12:400-416. [PMID: 35447747 PMCID: PMC9025576 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe12040029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying retained activity participation to old age can improve age-related changes in balance and cognition function. Subjects ≥ 60 years were enrolled in this study. Balance and Cognitive function include working memory, executive function, and sustained and divided attention was evaluated with “Fullerton advanced balance”, “n-back”, “Wisconsin card sort”, “sustain and divided attention test”, respectively. In addition, retained activity participation was measured using the Activity Card Sort questionnaire. The univariate and multivariate regression analyses of different domains of retained activity participation were used as independent variables, including instrumental activity, low-effort leisure, high-effort leisure, and social activity on balance and specific domains of cognition. Seventy-seven subjects (65.3 ± 4.4 years, 61% female) were included. About 47% of older adults had a college education, 32.3% had a diploma, and 20.7% had elementary−middle education. These results show that retained instrumental activity had a relationship with working memory (β = 0.079, p < 0.05). In addition, we found that retained high-effort leisure activity can increase balance, divided attention, and executive function score (β = 0.1, β = 0.05, β = 0.02, p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a positive relationship between retained low-effort activity and sustained attention (β = 0.08, p < 0.05). In addition, the coefficient of determination (R2) for balance, working memory, executive function, sustained, and divided attention were 0.45, 0.25, 0.13, 0.11 and 0.18, respectively. The study suggests that retained activity participation types may have various effects on balance and some selective cognitive components in older people.
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Feraco T, Meneghetti C. Sport Practice, Fluid Reasoning, and Soft Skills in 10- to 18-Year-Olds. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:857412. [PMID: 35360291 PMCID: PMC8963902 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.857412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Engaging in physical activity and sports has been associated with various cognitive abilities and other personal characteristics. The contemporary link between doing sports and personal attributes such as soft skills and an individual’s cognitive abilities have yet to be investigated, however. This study aims to analyze the association between years of practicing a sport, cognitive abilities (in terms of fluid reasoning), and personal attributes (in terms of soft skills). A large sample of 1,115 individuals (10–18 years old) completed the Cattell test (measuring fluid reasoning) and answered a questionnaire measuring six soft skills (adaptability, curiosity, initiative, leadership, perseverance, and social awareness). A multivariate regression analysis show that, after controlling for age and gender, participants’ years of practicing a sport were positively associated with three soft skills (i.e., initiative, leadership, and perseverance) and with fluid reasoning. No differences emerged between team and individual sport practitioners. Our findings suggest an association between practicing sports, which entails more than just physical activity, and both cognitive abilities (fluid reasoning) and other important personal characteristics, such as soft skills.
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Chang YT, Liu CT, Hsu SW, Lee CC, Huang PC. Functional Connectivity, Physical Activity, and Neurocognitive Performances in Patients with Vascular Cognitive Impairment, No Dementia. Curr Alzheimer Res 2022; 19:56-67. [PMID: 35086448 DOI: 10.2174/1567205019666220127103852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular Cognitive Impairment, No Dementia (VCIND) is a key stage at which early intervention will delay or prevent dementia. The pathophysiology of VCIND posits that a lesion in a single location in the brain has the ability to disrupt brain networks, and the subsequent abnormal Functional Connectivity (FC) of brain networks leads to deficits in corresponding neurobehavioral domains. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that disrupted anterior cingulate cortex and striatal networks mediated the effects of Physical Activity (PA) on neurobehavioral function. METHODS In 27 patients with VCIND, FC within the brain networks and neurobehavioral dysfunction were assessed. The relationship between the cognitive scores, FC, and PA was studied. The Fitbit Charge 2 was used to measure step counts, distance, and calories burned. In patients with VCIND, a cross-sectional Spearman's correlation to analyze the relationship among patient-level measures of PA, cognitive function scores, and FC strength within the brain networks. RESULTS Average step counts and average distance were associated with Trail Making Test B (TM-B) time to completion (seconds) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) score (P <0.05). The average calories burned were associated with IADL score (P = 0.009). The FC within the brain networks anchored by left caudal Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) seeds (x= -5, y= 0, z= 36) and (x= -5, y= -10, z= 47) were positively correlated with average step counts and average distance, were negatively correlated with TMB time to completion (seconds), and were positively correlated with IADL score (P < 0.05). The FC within the brain networks anchored by left subgenual ACC seed (x= -5, y= 25, z= -10) were negatively correlated with average step counts and average distance were positively correlated with TMB time to completion (seconds), and were negatively correlated with IADL score (P < 0.05). The FC within the striatal networks was positively correlated with average calories burned and IADL score (P < 0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ting Chang
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Chun-Ting Liu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Wei Hsu
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Chang Lee
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ching Huang
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
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The Relationship Between Habitual Physical Activity, Sitting Time, and Cognitive Function in Young Adult Women. J Phys Act Health 2021; 18:1082-1087. [PMID: 34186507 DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2020-0705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence that physical activity (PA), sitting time, and obesity may impact cognition, but few studies have examined this in young women. METHODS Healthy women (18-35 y), without conditions that impair cognition, were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Participants completed anthropometric and validated computerized cognitive assessments (IntegNeuro™). Performance on 5 cognitive domains (impulsivity, attention, information processing, memory, and executive function) was reported as z scores. Sitting hours and weekly PA calculated from time in low-, moderate-, and high-intensity activity were obtained via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Analysis of variance/analysis of covariance, chi-square, and linear regression were used. RESULTS 299 (25.9 [5.1] y) women (low PA = 19%; moderate PA = 40%; high PA = 41%) participated. High PA women had lower body mass index (high PA = 26.1 [6.5]; moderate PA = 30.0 [8.7]; low PA = 31.0 [11.1] kg/m2; P < .001) and less sitting time (high PA = 6.6 [3.1]; moderate PA = 7.7 [2.8]; low PA = 9.3 [3.6] hr/weekday; P < .0001). Cognitive function was within normal ranges and did not differ between any PA groups (P = .42). Adjusting for body mass index, C-reactive protein, or sitting hours did not alter results. Weak correlations were found between time in high-intensity activity and impulsivity (b = 0.12, r2 = .015; P = .04), and between sitting hours and information processing efficiency (b = -0.18, r2 = .03; P = .002). Valuesare presented as mean (SD). CONCLUSIONS Cognitive function was within the normal range, regardless of PA or sitting time.
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Mohammadi H, Gagnon C, Vincent T, Kassab A, Fraser S, Nigam A, Lesage F, Bherer L. Longitudinal Impact of Physical Activity on Brain Pulsatility Index and Cognition in Older Adults with Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A NIRS Study. Brain Sci 2021; 11:730. [PMID: 34072651 PMCID: PMC8230110 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that optical indices of cerebral pulsatility, including cerebral pulse amplitude, are linked to cerebrovascular health. A chronically higher cerebral pulsatility is associated with cognitive decline. Although it is widely known that regular physical activity improves cognitive functions, little is known about the association between physical activity and the optical index of cerebral pulsatility. This study assessed the impact of 12 months of regular physical activity on the changes in the optical index of cerebral pulsatility and explored its association with cognition. A total of 19 older adults (aged 59-79 years) with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) completed the study. Low-intensity, short-duration walking as a brief cardiovascular challenge was used to study the impact of regular physical activity on post-walking changes in cerebral pulsatility index. The participants walked on a gym track while a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device recorded hemodynamics data from the frontal and motor cortex subregions. Our data indicated that 12 months of physical activity was associated with lower global cerebral pulse amplitude, which was associated with higher cognitive scores in executive functions. Further, the global cerebral pulsatility index was reduced after short-duration walking, and this reduction was greater after 12 months of regular physical activity compared with the baseline. This may be an indication of improvement in cerebrovascular response to the cardiovascular challenge after regular physical activity. This study suggests that 12 months of physical activity may support cognitive functions through improving cerebral pulsatility in older adults with CVRF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanieh Mohammadi
- Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada; (H.M.); (C.G.); (T.V.); (A.N.); (F.L.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Christine Gagnon
- Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada; (H.M.); (C.G.); (T.V.); (A.N.); (F.L.)
| | - Thomas Vincent
- Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada; (H.M.); (C.G.); (T.V.); (A.N.); (F.L.)
| | - Ali Kassab
- Research Center, University of Montreal Health Centre, Montreal, QC H2X 3E4, Canada;
| | - Sarah Fraser
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada;
| | - Anil Nigam
- Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada; (H.M.); (C.G.); (T.V.); (A.N.); (F.L.)
| | - Frédéric Lesage
- Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada; (H.M.); (C.G.); (T.V.); (A.N.); (F.L.)
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Louis Bherer
- Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada; (H.M.); (C.G.); (T.V.); (A.N.); (F.L.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3W 1W4, Canada
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Brauns K, Friedl-Werner A, Gunga HC, Stahn AC. Effects of two months of bed rest and antioxidant supplementation on attentional processing. Cortex 2021; 141:81-93. [PMID: 34044245 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2021.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Physical inactivity across the lifespan is a growing public health concern affecting the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and central nervous system. Data on the effects of dietary antioxidants as neuroprotective treatments when physical activity levels are impaired are lacking. In this randomized controlled study, twenty young healthy men underwent 60 days of bed rest. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group (n = 10) receiving a daily antioxidant supplement comprising polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and selenium or a control group (n = 10). Event-related potentials (ERPs) and behavioral data from a three-stimulus oddball paradigm were collected eight days before bed rest, after 60 days of immobilization, and after eight days of recovery. After two months of bed rest, we found a significant decrease in task efficiency irrespective of the treatment that was corroborated by lower ERPs in fronto-central and parietal brain regions. Neither behavioral nor electrocortical data returned to baseline values after eight days of recovery. Our results provide support for the adverse and persistent neurobehavioral effects of prolonged bed rest, which could not be mitigated by antioxidant supplementation. These findings raise important implications for situations in which physical activity levels become severely restricted such as medical conditions or sedentary lifestyles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Brauns
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Physiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anika Friedl-Werner
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Physiology, Berlin, Germany; Université de Normandie, INSERM U 1075 COMETE, Caen, France
| | - Hanns-Christian Gunga
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Physiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander C Stahn
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Physiology, Berlin, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19004, USA.
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Brain Structure, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Executive Control Changes after a 9-Week Exercise Intervention in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11040292. [PMID: 33808225 PMCID: PMC8066797 DOI: 10.3390/life11040292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is assumed to exert beneficial effects on brain structure and executive control (EC) performance. However, empirical evidence of exercise-induced cognitive enhancement is not conclusive, and the role of CRF in younger adults is not fully understood. Here, we conducted a study in which healthy young adults took part in a moderate aerobic exercise intervention program for 9 weeks (exercise group; n = 48), or control condition of non-aerobic exercise intervention (waitlist control group; n = 72). Before and after the intervention period maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) as an indicator of CRF, the Flanker task as a measure of EC performance and grey matter volume (GMV), as well as cortical thickness via structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were assessed. Compared to the control group, the CRF (heart rate, p < 0.001; VO2max, p < 0.001) and EC performance (congruent and incongruent reaction time, p = 0.011, p < 0.001) of the exercise group were significantly improved after the 9-week aerobic exercise intervention. Furthermore, GMV changes in the left medial frontal gyrus increased in the exercise group, whereas they were significantly reduced in the control group. Likewise, analysis of cortical morphology revealed that the left lateral occipital cortex (LOC.L) and the left precuneus (PCUN.L) thickness were considerably increased in the exercise group, which was not observed in the control group. The exploration analysis confirmed that CRF improvements are linked to EC improvement and frontal grey matter changes. In summary, our results support the idea that regular endurance exercises are an important determinant for brain health and cognitive performance even in a cohort of younger adults.
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Ferreira Freitas R, Santos Brant Rocha J, Ives Santos L, de Carvalho Braule Pinto AL, Rodrigues Moreira MH, Piana Santos Lima de Oliveira F, Marques MS, Souza Guerra Júnior GE, de Oliveira Silva Guerra KD, Araújo Drummond AM, Villas Boas Spelta JV, Ananias Meira Trovão C, Schmidt França D, Borges Oliveira L, Prates Caldeira A, Silveira Vasconcelos D’Angelo MF. Validity and precision of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for climacteric women using computational intelligence techniques. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245240. [PMID: 33444409 PMCID: PMC7808655 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the validity and precision of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) for climacteric women using computational intelligence techniques. The instrument was applied to 873 women aged between 40 and 65 years. Considering the proposal to regroup the set of data related to the level of physical activity of climacteric women using the IPAQ, we used 2 algorithms: Kohonen and k-means, and, to evaluate the validity of these clusters, 3 indexes were used: Silhouette, PBM and Dunn. The questionnaire was tested for validity (factor analysis) and precision (Cronbach's alpha). The Random Forests technique was used to assess the importance of the variables that make up the IPAQ. To classify these variables, we used 3 algorithms: Suport Vector Machine, Artificial Neural Network and Decision Tree. The results of the tests to evaluate the clusters suggested that what is recommended for IPAQ, when applied to climacteric women, is to categorize the results into two groups. The factor analysis resulted in three factors, with factor 1 being composed of variables 3 to 6; factor 2 for variables 7 and 8; and factor 3 for variables 1 and 2. Regarding the reliability estimate, the results of the standardized Cronbach's alpha test showed values between 0.63 to 0.85, being considered acceptable for the construction of the construct. In the test of importance of the variables that make up the instrument, the results showed that variables 1 and 8 presented a lesser degree of importance and by the analysis of Accuracy, Recall, Precision and area under the ROC curve, there was no variation when the results were analyzed with all IPAQ variables but variables 1 and 8. Through this analysis, we concluded that the IPAQ, short version, has adequate measurement properties for the investigated population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josiane Santos Brant Rocha
- State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Fipmoc University Center, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Maria Suzana Marques
- State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Fipmoc University Center, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Dorothéa Schmidt França
- State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Fipmoc University Center, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lanuza Borges Oliveira
- State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Fipmoc University Center, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Antônio Prates Caldeira
- State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Fipmoc University Center, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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