scholarly journals A-017 Lifestyle activity engagement and cognition: Findings in healthy controls across the lifespan

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 807-807
Author(s):  
Randolph J ◽  
Randolph J ◽  
Arnett P ◽  
Strober L ◽  
Guty E ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Intellectual Activity ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Lifestyle Activity

Abstract Objective Engagement in physical and intellectual activity has been found to exert an impact on processing speed and executive functioning. One critical issue that remains unclear is at what point in the lifespan self-reported lifestyle factors impact cognition. Method A community sample of nondepressed adults aged 18–74 (N = 176) was administered measures assessing activity engagement (Cognitive Health Questionnaire), processing speed (SDMT), and executive functioning (PASAT, Oral Trails B). Very physically and intellectually active (over 3 instances/week of activity) participants were compared to those reporting less activity across three age ranges: young adults (YA; age 18–29), middle-aged adults (MA; age 30–55), and older adults (OA; age 56–74). Results MA participants who frequently engaged in moderate or vigorous physical activity showed better SDMT performance than less active participants (p < .05). YA participants frequently engaging in mild physical activity showed a nonsignificant trend toward better PASAT and SDMT performance than those who were less active. YA and MA participants who reported high use of daily cognitive strategies showed stronger Oral Trails B (p < .05) and SDMT (p = .06) performance, respectively. Very intellectually active YA participants showed better PASAT performance than less active participants (p = .06). While OA participant group comparisons were not significant, small sample sizes for some analyses may have impacted results. Conclusions We found that individuals with strong lifestyle activity engagement showed better processing speed and executive functioning than less active participants. These findings are consistent with previous research indicating that more robust activity engagement is associated with better cognition.

scholarly journals The Association Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Academic Achievement in Dutch Adolescents: Findings From the GOALS Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 460-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin L. Van Dijk ◽  
Renate H.M. De Groot ◽  
Hans H.C.M. Savelberg ◽  
Frederik Van Acker ◽  
Paul A. Kirschner
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Mathematics Performance ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Physical Activity Volume ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Objectively Measured ◽  
Objectively Measured Physical Activity

The main goal of this study was to investigate the association between objectively measured physical activity and academic achievement in adolescents. Students in Grades 7 and 9 (N = 255) were included. Overall, we found no significant dose–response association between physical activity and academic achievement. However, in Grade 7 total physical activity volume (Total PA) was negatively associated with academic achievement, while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was negatively associated with both academic achievement and mathematics performance. In contrast, in Grade 9 both Total PA and MVPA were positively associated with mathematics performance. In addition, the overall association between MVPA and academic achievement followed an inverted U-shaped curve. Finally, Total PA was positively associated with executive functioning, while executive functioning in turn mediated the associations between Total PA and both academic achievement and mathematics performance. These results indicate that the association between physical activity and academic achievement in adolescents is complex and might be affected by academic year, physical activity volume and intensity, and school grade.

scholarly journals The Effects of Aerobic Versus Cognitively Demanding Exercise Interventions on Executive Functioning in School-Aged Children: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Anna Meijer ◽  
Marsh Königs ◽  
Irene M.J. van der Fels ◽  
Chris Visscher ◽  
Roel J. Bosker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Verbal Working Memory ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Randomized Controlled

The authors performed a clustered randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of an aerobic and a cognitively demanding exercise intervention on executive functions in primary-school-age children compared with the regular physical education program (N = 856). They hypothesized that both exercise interventions would facilitate executive functioning, with stronger effects for the cognitively demanding exercise group. The interventions were provided four times per week for 14 weeks. Linear mixed models were conducted on posttest neurocognitive function measures with baseline level as covariate. No differences were found between the exercise interventions and the control group for any of the measures. Independently of group, dose of moderate to vigorous physical activity was positively related to verbal working memory and attention abilities. This study showed that physical exercise interventions did not enhance executive functioning in children. Exposure to moderate to vigorous physical activity is a crucial aspect of the relationship between physical activity and executive functioning.

scholarly journals Observed Physical Function Is Associated With Better Cognition Among Elderly Adults: The Adventist Health Study-2

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 153331752096086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole M. Gatto ◽  
Jennifer Garcia-Cano ◽  
Crissy Irani ◽  
Tiantian Liu ◽  
Cameron Arakaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Elderly Adults ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Speed Factor

Lifestyle factors may individually protect against the development of mild cognitive impairment. We investigate the relationships between both self-reported physical activity and measured physical function with cognition in a population of elderly adults, more than half of whom follow vegetarian dietary patterns. Otherwise healthy adults (n = 127, mean age 74.9 ± 7.9 years, 61.3% current vegetarians) were assessed using a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. A principal components analysis derived processing speed, executive function, and memory/language factors. Participants reported current levels of vigorous physical activity on questionnaires, and physical function and mobility were measured with the Physical Performance Test (PPT) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test. Generalized linear models estimated β coefficients for cross-sectional associations between cognitive factors and indicators of physical abilities and self-reported physical activity. Better physical function indicated by PPT was associated with higher scores on the processing speed factor (β = 0.21 SDs for each 4.4-point increase in PPT score; p = 0.02). Faster TUG times were also associated with higher processing speed factor scores (β = 0.21 SDs increase for each 2.8 second less TUG time; p = 0.02). Self-reported levels of vigorous physical activity were not associated with any area of cognitive function; the association between PPT, TUG and processing speed was independent of physical activity. Associations between PPT and TUG and processing speed were stronger among participants who followed vegetarian dietary patterns. Better physical function may have an effect on cognition in a context of healthy lifestyles.

Effectiveness of a Two-Year Health-Related Physical Education Intervention in Elementary Schools

2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie J.M. Verstraete ◽  
Greet M. Cardon ◽  
Dirk L.R. De Clercq ◽  
Ilse M.M. De Bourdeaudhuij
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Education Intervention ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Intervention Condition

The study aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 2-year health-related physical education intervention in a pretest-posttest design. Sixteen elementary schools (764 pupils, mean age: 11.2 ± 0.7) participated in the study. Schools were randomly assigned to the intervention condition (n = 8) and the control condition (n = 8). Making use of direct observation data gathered according to SOFIT (System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time), the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity engagement during physical education classes was significantly higher in the intervention condition than in the control condition. Children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity engagement during physical education lessons increased with 14% in the intervention condition (from 42 to 56%). No significant effects were found on the accelerometer data. The health-related physical education intervention was found to be promising in promoting physical activity during physical education classes.

Associations Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Executive Functioning in Young Adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Lin ◽  
Kun Wang ◽  
Zuosong Chen ◽  
Xiang Fan ◽  
Liqun Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Task Switching ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Switch Costs ◽  
Cognitive Benefits ◽  
Linear Regression Modeling ◽  
Global Reaction

Associations between daily physical activity (PA) and executive functioning have rarely been investigated among young adults. This study examined these associations among 162 university students (74 females and 88 males; mean age = 19.0, SD = 1.1 years). We measured PA objectively, using hip-mounted accelerometers, and assessed executive functioning in a task-switching paradigm. Anthropometrics measurements were gathered using standardized procedures. Through linear regression modeling, we found moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (β = −0.19, 95% CI = [−0.35, −0.03], p = .02) and light physical activity (β = −0.17, 95% CI = [−0.34, −0.01], p = .04) to be associated with smaller global reaction time switch costs. Total PA was not associated with task-switching performance, and there were no statistically significant associations between PA indicators and local switch costs. As both moderate-to-vigorous and light physical activities were associated with better executive function in young adults, there can be important cognitive benefits to remaining physically active.

scholarly journals Latent Profile Analysis of Cognition in a Non-Demented Diverse Cohort: A Focus on Modifiable Cardiovascular and Lifestyle Factors

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Melissa Lamar ◽  
Deborah Drabick ◽  
Elizabeth A. Boots ◽  
Puja Agarwal ◽  
Sheina Emrani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Modifiable Factors ◽  
Latent Profile

Background: Cognitively-defined subgroups are well-documented within neurodegeneration. Objective: We examined such profiles in diverse non-demented older adults and considered how resulting subgroups relate to modifiable factors associated with neurodegeneration. Methods: 121 non-demented (MMSE = 28.62) diverse (46%non-Latino Black, 40%non-Latino White, 15%Latino) community-dwelling adults (age = 67.7 years) completed cognitive, cardiovascular, physical activity, and diet evaluations. Latent profile analyses (LPA) employed six cognitive scores (letter fluency, letter-number sequencing, confrontational naming, ‘animal’ fluency, list-learning delayed recall, and recognition discriminability) to characterize cognitively-defined subgroups. Differences between resulting subgroups on cardiovascular (composite scores of overall health; specific health components including fasting blood levels) and lifestyle (sedentary behavior; moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; Mediterranean diet consumption) factors were examined using ANCOVAs adjusting for relevant confounders. Results: Based on sample means across cognitive scores, LPA resulted in the following cognitive subgroups: 1) high-average cognition, 55%non-Latino White and 64%female participants; 2) average cognition, 58%non-Latino Black and 68%male participants; 3) lower memory, 58%non-Latino Black participants; and 4) lower executive functioning, 70%Latinos. The high-average subgroup reported significantly higher Mediterranean diet consumption than the average subgroup (p = 0.001). The lower executive functioning group had higher fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c than all other subgroups (p-values<0.001). Conclusion: LPA revealed two average subgroups reflecting level differences in cognition previously reported between non-Latino White and Black adults, and two lower cognition subgroups in domains similar to those documented in neurodegeneration. These subgroups, and their differences, suggest the importance of considering social determinants of health in cognitive aging and modifiable risk.

Moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity and processing speed: predicting adaptive change in ADHD levels and related impairments in preschoolers

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (12) ◽  
pp. 1380-1387
Author(s):  
Betsy Hoza ◽  
Erin K. Shoulberg ◽  
Connie L. Tompkins ◽  
Caroline P. Martin ◽  
Allison Krasner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Adaptive Change

scholarly journals An examination of the prospective association between physical activity and academic achievement in youth at the population level

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253142
Author(s):  
Mia Papasideris ◽  
Scott T. Leatherdale ◽  
Kate Battista ◽  
Peter A. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines

Exercise has significant benefits for brain health and this may have downstream learning benefits for youth. However existing studies looking at links between physical activity and academic achievement are limited by relatively small sample sizes and/or cross-sectional designs. The objective of this study is to determine the direction and magnitude of the association between physical activity and academic achievement in a large prospective sample of adolescents. Linear mixed models with random intercepts and multinomial ordinal generalized estimating equations were employed to analyze the prospective relationship between measures of physical activity and academic achievement from the COMPASS study (N = 9,898 linked participant data cases from year 2 (2013–2014) to year 4 (2015–2016)). The linear relationships between minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity and academic achievement (English: r = -.047, p < .000; Math: r = -.026, p = .008) as well as meeting the national physical activity guidelines and academic achievement (English: est = -.052, p = .004; Math: est = -.052, p = .028) were negative and trivial in magnitude. Organized sport participation showed slight positive associations with academic achievement indices, but these were also of trivial magnitude. In conclusion, the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement was effectively null in this population sample. Advocacy for physical activity programming for adolescent populations may best be undertaken with reference to lack of net academic achievement cost, rather than presence of benefit, or simply with reference to the many other physical and mental health benefits for youth.

scholarly journals Maternal Physical-Activity-Related Parenting Behaviors May Influence Children’s Physical Activity Levels and Relative Weight

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard R. Rosenkranz ◽  
David A. Dzewaltowski
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Parenting Behaviors ◽  
After School ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
After School Program ◽  
Child Bmi

Previous studies have demonstrated that parents may influence the physical activity (PA) levels of children. The present study sought to determine whether PA-related parenting behaviors were associated with the physical activity and relative weight of children, controlling for other covariates. A community sample of mothers (n = 193) of after-school-program attendees completed questionnaires assessing parental social support for PA, sedentary behavior, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Children (N = 193, 51% girls) were objectively assessed for height and weight via stadiometer and digital scale, and the data were converted to body mass index (BMI) percentile via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2010a) growth charts. Linear regression analysis revealed that maternal encouragement for child PA was positively related to both child PA and BMI percentile. However, mother-child shared physical activity was negatively related to child BMI percentile. Therefore, varying types of PA-related parenting behaviors may have differential relationships with child PA and relative weight.

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