Better Executive Function Is Associated With Faster On-Transition Aerobic Metabolism Among Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 823-840
Author(s):  
Ligita Siline ◽  
Arvydas Stasiulis ◽  
Loreta Stasiule
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Ventilatory Threshold ◽  
Aerobic Metabolism ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Interference Score

The present study aimed to examine relationships between executive function (EF) and variables of aerobic fitness. Participants were 32 healthy older adults ( M age = 65.1, SD = 6.6 years). We measured the first ventilatory threshold (VeT1) and the kinetics of oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O2), heart rate (HR), and muscle deoxygenation [HHb] during treadmill walking of either constant, moderate intensity, or increasing intensity. We assessed EF with a computerized Stroop test and Stroop measures of correct answers, reaction time, and percent interference. We found the Stroop interference score to be negatively associated with the VeT1 ( r = –0.387, p = 0.031) and positively associated with the on-transition aerobic metabolism time constant (τ) of HR ( r = 0.519, p = 0.003), [Formula: see text]O2 ( r = 0.454; p = 0.010), and [HHb] ( r = 0.644, p = 0.001). Correct responses were negatively related with τHR ( r = –0.372, p = 0.039) and τ[Formula: see text]O2 ( r = –0.500, p = 0.004). The Stroop average reaction time, congruent reaction time and incongruent reaction time were positively related to τ[HHb] ( r = 0.507, p = 0.010; r = 0.437, p = 0.029; r = 0.558, p = 0.004, respectively). Better EF was associated with faster on-transition aerobic metabolism and higher aerobic fitness among older adults.

Effects of priming exercise on the speed of adjustment of muscle oxidative metabolism at the onset of moderate-intensity step transitions in older adults

2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (10) ◽  
pp. R1158-R1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela De Roia ◽  
Silvia Pogliaghi ◽  
Alessandra Adami ◽  
Christina Papadopoulou ◽  
Carlo Capelli
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cardiac Output ◽  
Oxidative Metabolism ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Moderate Intensity Exercise ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Speed Of Adjustment ◽  
Priming Exercise ◽  
Kinetics Of

Aging is associated with a functional decline of the oxidative metabolism due to progressive limitations of both O2 delivery and utilization. Priming exercise (PE) increases the speed of adjustment of oxidative metabolism during successive moderate-intensity transitions. We tested the hypothesis that such improvement is due to a better matching of O2 delivery to utilization within the working muscles. In 21 healthy older adults (65.7 ± 5 yr), we measured contemporaneously noninvasive indexes of the overall speed of adjustment of the oxidative metabolism (i.e., pulmonary V̇o2 kinetics), of the bulk O2 delivery (i.e., cardiac output), and of the rate of muscle deoxygenation (i.e., deoxygenated hemoglobin, HHb) during moderate-intensity step transitions, either with (ModB) or without (ModA) prior PE. The local matching of O2 delivery to utilization was evaluated by the ΔHHb/ΔV̇o2 ratio index. The overall speed of adjustment of the V̇o2 kinetics was significantly increased in ModB compared with ModA ( P < 0.05). On the contrary, the kinetics of cardiac output was unaffected by PE. At the muscle level, ModB was associated with a significant reduction of the “overshoot” in the ΔHHb/ΔV̇o2 ratio compared with ModA ( P < 0.05), suggesting an improved O2 delivery. Our data are compatible with the hypothesis that, in older adults, PE, prior to moderate-intensity exercise, beneficially affects the speed of adjustment of oxidative metabolism due to an acute improvement of the local matching of O2 delivery to utilization.

scholarly journals Teasing apart factors influencing executive function performance in bilinguals and monolinguals at different ages

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 605-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia C. Mueller Gathercole ◽  
Enlli Môn Thomas ◽  
Nestor Viñas Guasch ◽  
Ivan Kennedy ◽  
Cynog Prys ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Different Ages

Abstract This study attempts to tease apart a variety of factors that may contribute to performance on executive function tasks. Data from the Simon task is re-examined to determine the contributions of age, SES, language proficiency/vocabulary, general cognitive performance, and bilingualism on performance. The results suggest influence from a variety of factors, with a major contribution from relative age and from language proficiency, as measured by vocabulary. Bilingualism showed some effect in relation to older adults’ accuracy of performance, in both congruent and incongruent conditions, but not to reaction time.

Distinct effects of acute exercise and breaks in sitting on working memory and executive function in older adults: a three-arm, randomised cross-over trial to evaluate the effects of exercise with and without breaks in sitting on cognition

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (13) ◽  
pp. 776-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Wheeler ◽  
Daniel J Green ◽  
Kathryn A Ellis ◽  
Ester Cerin ◽  
Ilkka Heinonen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Light Intensity ◽  
Visual Learning ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Moderate Intensity Exercise ◽  
Intermittent Light ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Serum Bdnf

BackgroundSedentary behaviour is associated with impaired cognition, whereas exercise can acutely improve cognition.ObjectiveWe compared the effects of a morning bout of moderate-intensity exercise, with and without subsequent light-intensity walking breaks from sitting, on cognition in older adults.MethodsSedentary overweight/obese older adults with normal cognitive function (n=67, 67±7 years, 31.2±4.1 kg/m2) completed three conditions (6-day washout): SIT (sitting): uninterrupted sitting (8 hours, control); EX+SIT (exercise + sitting): sitting (1 hour), moderate-intensity walking (30 min), uninterrupted sitting (6.5 hours); and EX+BR (exercise + breaks): sitting (1 hour), moderate-intensity walking (30 min), sitting interrupted every 30 min with 3 min of light-intensity walking (6.5 hours). Cognitive testing (Cogstate) was completed at four time points assessing psychomotor function, attention, executive function, visual learning and working memory. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic growth factor (BDNF) was assessed at six time points. The 8-hour net area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for each outcome.ResultsWorking memory net AUC z-score·hour (95% CI) was improved in EX+BR with a z-score of +28 (−26 to +81), relative to SIT, −25 (−79 to +29, p=0.04 vs EX+BR). Executive function net AUC was improved in EX+SIT, −8 (− 71 to +55), relative to SIT, −80 (−142 to −17, p=0.03 vs EX+SIT). Serum BDNF net AUC ng/mL·hour (95% CI) was increased in both EX+SIT, +171 (−449 to +791, p=0.03 vs SIT), and EX+BR, +139 (−481 to +759, p=0.045 vs SIT), relative to SIT, −227 (−851 to +396).ConclusionA morning bout of moderate-intensity exercise improves serum BDNF and working memory or executive function in older adults, depending on whether or not subsequent sitting is also interrupted with intermittent light-intensity walking.Trial registration numberACTRN12614000737639.

scholarly journals High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Cognitive Flexibility in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 796
Author(s):  
Said Mekari ◽  
Heather F. Neyedli ◽  
Sarah Fraser ◽  
Myles W. O’Brien ◽  
Ricardo Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Stroop Task ◽  
Interval Training ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
High Intensity Interval Training ◽  
Continuous Training ◽  
High Intensity Interval

Introduction: Regular aerobic exercise is associated with better executive function in older adults. It is unclear if high-intensity-interval-training (HIIT) elicits moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) or resistance training (RT). We hypothesized that HIIT would augment executive function more than MICT and RT. Methods: Sixty-nine older adults (age: 68 ± 7 years) performed six weeks (three days/week) of HIIT (2 × 20 min bouts alternating between 15 s intervals at 100% of peak power output (PPO) and passive recovery (0% PPO); n = 24), MICT (34 min at 60% PPO; n = 19), or whole-body RT (eight exercise superior improvements in executive function of older adults than moderate-intensity-continuous-training, 2 × 10 repetitions; n = 26). Cardiorespiratory fitness (i.e., V˙O2max) and executive function were assessed before and after each intervention via a progressive maximal cycle ergometer protocol and the Stroop Task, respectively. Results: The V˙O2max findings revealed a significant group by time interaction (p = 0.001) in which all groups improved following training, but HIIT and MICT improved more than RT. From pre- to post-training, no interaction in the naming condition of the Stroop Task was observed (p > 0.10). However, interaction from pre- to post-training by group was observed, and only the HIIT group exhibited a faster reaction time (from 1250 ± 50 to 1100 ± 50 ms; p < 0.001) in switching (cognitive flexibility). Conclusion: Despite similar improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, HIIT, but not MICT nor RT, enhanced cognitive flexibility in older adults. Exercise programs should consider using HIIT protocols in an effort to combat cognitive decline in older adults.

scholarly journals The Acute Effects of Different Exercise Intensities on Associative Novel Word Learning in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Marie-Pier McSween ◽  
Katie L. McMahon ◽  
Kylie Maguire ◽  
Jeff S. Coombes ◽  
Amy D. Rodriguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Word Learning ◽  
Acute Exercise ◽  
Word Recall ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Learning Abilities ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Continuous Exercise ◽  
Lower Baseline

Recent studies show positive effects of acute exercise on language learning in young adults with lower baseline learning abilities; however, this is yet to be investigated in older adults. This study investigated the acute effects of different exercise intensities on new word learning in healthy older adults with lower and higher baseline learning abilities. Sixty older adults (mean age = 66.4 (4.6); 43 females) performed either a single bout of stretching exercise, moderate-intensity continuous exercise, or high-intensity interval exercise followed by a word learning task. In lower baseline learners, between-group differences were observed on immediate new word recall success, with the moderate-intensity continuous exercise group performing better than the stretching group. These findings suggest immediate benefits of moderate-intensity continuous exercise that are limited to word learning performance of older adults with lower baseline learning abilities. Further investigation into underlying mechanisms could lead to a better understanding of individual differences in responding to acute exercise.

Few Structural Brain Changes Associated With Moderate-Intensity Interval Training and Low-Intensity Continuous Training in a Randomized Trial of Fitness and Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Renée Martin-Willett ◽  
Jarrod E. Ellingson ◽  
Jill Fries ◽  
Timothy Helmuth ◽  
Hollis Karoly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Interval Training ◽  
Training Condition ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Continuous Training ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
The Right

This study utilized a randomized control trial to examine whether structural changes in the precuneus, insula, caudate, hippocampus, and putamen were related to exercise. A total of 197 healthy older adults with no evidence of dementia participated in moderate-intensity interval training or low-intensity continuous training for 16 weeks. Size decreased in the right hippocampus such that the effect of time was significant but the interaction with condition was not. For the left hippocampus, size decreased in the low-intensity continuous training condition but increased in the moderate-intensity continuous training plus interval training condition at the trend level. Finally, there was a significant time-by-condition interaction such that the thickness of the left insula increased for low-intensity continuous training and decreased for moderate-intensity continuous training plus interval training. Few structural changes were associated with the exercise intervention. Future studies should examine the effects of exercise on brain structure in high-risk or clinical populations for a longer period of time.

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