Exercise and Cognition

Larson et al. (2006)

1,750 adults > 65 years with no cognitive impairments follow up 6 years later found: exercisers (3x/week) were 34% less likely to develop dementia or Alzheimers later in life.

Exercise and ADHD

ADHD: brain imaging studies show brain develops normally but is delayed mostly in areas related to thinking, paying attention and planning no current cute- main treatment is drug therapy which has side effects can exercise be a natural treatment?

synaptic plasticity

Exercise can make existing synapses STRONGER and help build MORE synapses -- emerging support

Espeland (2018)

assessed if exposure to 10 years of lifestyle PA intervention designed to reduce weight and increase PA. Lowered prevalence of cognitive impairment in adults at risk for T2DM and obesity examinedL mild cognitive impairment and probably dementia in > 3,800 adults randomized to the lifestyle intervention or diabetes education and support control group found: mild cognitive impairment 6.4 % (intervention) 6.6% (control) probable dementia 1.8% (impairment) 1.8% (control) implications: lifestyle changes even if over 10 years may not be potent enough to prevent cognitive impairments

Acute Ex studies

can a single bout of exercise facilitate or inhibit effects on cognitive functioning? research appears to show small effect - moderate intensity exercise is associated with faster reaction time but worst response inhibitions more research needed to understand

3 parts of the human brain

cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem

spirduso and Clifford (1978)

conducted follow-up t found: replicated 1975 study finding and included additional groups of runners. found older runners and racket sports players had simple and choice RT similar to younger runners

cerebrovascular measure

enhanced cognitive function is mediated by better circulation in brain which results in better blood flow and enhanced ability to respond to stimuli both at rest and following acute exercise -- some support for this

Barners et al (2003)

examined aerobic fitness and cognitive functioning in 350 community adults (55+); followed up 6 years later found: aerobic fitness positively associated with later cognitive function. may buffer against cognitive impairments associated with aging.

hillman et al (2009)

examined effects of Ex (treadmill walking for 20 min at moderate intensity) on cognitive function in children found: better accuracy of responding following exercise. larger p300 amplitudes and better academic performance. concluded: exercise does not appear to hinder academic performance and may lead to improved physical and mental health.

zlibinaite (2020)

examined effects of combined calorie restriction and aerobic exercise intervention on mood, brain activity, cognitive performance and motor behavior in 26 overweight/obese women (36-56 old) for 6 months found: confusion and depressions significantly increases in control group. tension decreased among intervention group. intervention group had better reaction time in visual scanning and speed accuracy tasks no differences were found for brain activity or learning conclusions intervention had little impact one cognition - authors suggest it may be related to small % of weight loss or sample size was too small

silva et al. (2015)

examined effects of short bouts of intense exercise on children's attention on video game found: children with ADHD who exercise performed 30% better than children with ADHD who did not exercise suggested intense exercise may be beneficial w kids and ADHD

spirduso (1975)

examined simple and choice reaction times across older and younger racquetball players and non active individuals found: older deportment were significantly faster on simple and choice Rt than same age non active men -led to question of whether it was type of sport that influenced effect? -led to question of whether it was type of sport that influenced effect?

cognition and exercise literature

examining studies with relationships in youths and adults some studies suggest exercise facilitates cognitive processing other studies suggest debilitating effects of exercise on cognitive function

practical recommendations

exercise is optimal for brain health and function moderate intensity may be tool to protect against and prevent declined cognitive function and brain deterioration is associated with aging both aerobic and aerobic appears to offer benefits

selective improvement

exercise that results in improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness fosters selective improvements (frontal lobe executive control tasks) -- support for this

cerebrum

fills up 80% of the skull responsible for remembering, problem solving, thinking, feeling and movement.

Hillman et al. (2008)

found: people with higher levels or aerobic fitness have larger P300 amplitudes- elicited in the process of decision making & faster latencies compared to less fit people.

cerebellum

little brain responsible for voluntary muscle movement and balance contributes to memory and language

blooms cognitive taxonomy

mental processes high in heirarchy--> analyze, evaluate and create then apply then understand then remember

ether (1997)

meta analysis of 134 exercise and cognition literature found: overall small positive effect (ES=0.25) ES were almost as 2x as large for chronic training programs than acute bouts of exercise

colcombe and kramer

meta analysis of training students from 1966-2001 found: evidence of significant influence of aerobic fitness training on cognitive function with some selected items -30% greater effect on cognitive tasks involving executive control processes.

what about children?

newer area of research can exercise have impact on cognitive functioning on children and adolescents? studies show acute and chronic exercise positively influence academic achievement, brain health, and overall cognition.

cognitive function

process by an individual is able to perceive, recognize, or understand thoughts and ideas involves abilities to: -think logically -create POA and execute it -learn and remember -solve problems encompasses a variety of mental tasks: -verbal tests -tests of perception -academic achievement tests -reaction time

cardiovascular fitness

some measure of cardiovascular fitness improvements is needed for improvements in cognitive function -- mixed support for this

Baylor and spriduso

replicated findings in women, establishing a pattern of consistency

voss & Erickson (2013)

replicated these findings in older healthy adults found: evidence that aerobic exercise can result in improvements in brain structure (prefontal context and hippocampus) and cognitive function.

condition and sedentary behavior

sedentary behavior has negative effect on cognition however, other behaviors like computer use may improve cognitive ability at least in adults --> insufficient research to understand why

studies in older adults

segmented by chronic and acute studies. -observational, experimental, some psychophysical

Brain stem

sits beneath cerebrum responsible for vital life breathing, heartbeat, digestion, blood circulation and pressure