scholarly journals Aerobic Fitness Relates to Superior Exact and Approximate Arithmetic Processing in College-Aged Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Lee McGowan ◽  
Madison C. Chandler ◽  
Matthew B. Pontifex
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Behavioral Measures ◽  
Processing Efficiency ◽  
Arithmetic Task ◽  
Fitness Level ◽  
Exact Arithmetic ◽  
Complex Arithmetic

Compelling evidence supports the association between the attribute of aerobic fitness and achievement scores on standardized tests of mathematics, but the underlying reasons for this association remain unclear. The present investigation sought to clarify the nature of the relationship between aerobic fitness and arithmetic processing by examining the extent to which these fitness-related differences in mathematics are attributed to individual differences in more efficient processing (efficiency hypothesis) or enhanced allocation of cognitive resources (resources hypothesis) in a sample of 118 college-aged adults. Combining behavioral measures to examine speed and accuracy of processing with pupillary measures that indicate resource allocation, participants completed a complex arithmetic task prior to performing a maximal graded exercise test to assess their aerobic fitness level. The arithmetic task comprised problems with varying levels of difficulty, requiring participants to determine whether a sum of two numbers was greater than or less than 100, which could be solved using either approximate or exact calculation strategies. Higher aerobic fitness was associated with 1) shorter reaction time across all problems, 2) superior accuracy for difficult problems employing exact arithmetic, and 3) greater task-evoked pupillary reactivity for the difficult problems requiring approximate and exact arithmetic strategies. These results indicate that individuals higher in aerobic fitness have more cognitive resources available to solve difficult problems faster and more accurately. These data provide initial evidence to suggest that fitness-related differences in mathematics achievement may result from modulation of cognitive resources underlying superior execution of procedural strategies during arithmetic performance. Accordingly, higher cardiovascular health may be implicated in superior health literacy (e.g., interpreting blood sugar readings and other clinical data), thus affecting the motivation to take action and engage in health behaviors based on quantitative information.

scholarly journals Anxiety-Related Difficulties With Complex Arithmetic

2021 ◽  
Vol 229 (4) ◽  
pp. 236-240
Author(s):  
Julia F. Huber ◽  
Christina Artemenko
Keyword(s):  
Math Anxiety ◽  
Mental Arithmetic ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Arithmetic Task ◽  
Complex Tasks ◽  
Complex Arithmetic ◽  
Mental Arithmetic Task ◽  
Arithmetic Performance ◽  
Successful Replication ◽  
Memory Resources

Abstract. Human behavior depends on the interplay between cognition and emotion. Negative emotions like anxiety affect performance, particularly in complex tasks, by limiting cognitive resources – known as the anxiety–complexity effect. This study set out to replicate the anxiety–complexity effect in a web-based experiment. We investigated individual differences in math anxiety – a negative emotional response specific to math – and arithmetic performance ( N = 382). The mental arithmetic task consisted of a two-digit addition and subtraction, with/without carrying or borrowing, respectively. As expected and preregistered, higher math anxiety was related to poorer arithmetic performance, especially in complex tasks – indicating the anxiety–complexity effect. Consequently, the negative math anxiety-performance link is especially pronounced for complex arithmetic, which requires calculations across place-values and thus working memory resources. This successful replication of the anxiety–complexity effect suggests that math-anxious individuals have particular difficulties in complex arithmetic.

The Relation Between Aerobic Fitness and Cognitive Performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 102-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Hao Wang ◽  
Chun-Ming Shih ◽  
Chia-Liang Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Brain Potentials ◽  
Fitness Level ◽  
Eeg Data ◽  
Attention Performance ◽  
P3 Amplitude ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. This study aimed to assess whether brain potentials have significant influences on the relationship between aerobic fitness and cognition. Behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) data was collected from 48 young adults when performing a Posner task. Higher aerobic fitness is related to faster reaction times (RTs) along with greater P3 amplitude and shorter P3 latency in the valid trials, after controlling for age and body mass index. Moreover, RTs were selectively related to P3 amplitude rather than P3 latency. Specifically, the bootstrap-based mediation model indicates that P3 amplitude mediates the relationship between fitness level and attention performance. Possible explanations regarding the relationships among aerobic fitness, cognitive performance, and brain potentials are discussed.

Substrate oxidation during exercise in taekwondo athletes: impact of aerobic fitness status

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 371-376
Author(s):  
B. Taati ◽  
H. Rohani
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Oxidation Rate ◽  
Fat Oxidation ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Substrate Oxidation ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Fitness Level ◽  
Oxidation Rates ◽  
Maximal Fat Oxidation

The present study aimed to investigate the potential effect of different aerobic fitness levels on substrate oxidation in trained taekwondo athletes. 57 male athletes (age 21.10±7.79 years; VO2max 50.67±6.67 ml/kg/min) with regular weekly taekwondo training and training experience of at least three years completed a graded exercise test to exhaustion on a treadmill. Maximal fat oxidation (MFO), the exercise intensity related to MFO (Fatmax), and carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation rate were measured using indirect calorimetry methods. The athletes then were divided into a low (<50 ml/kg/min, n=18) and high (>50 ml/kg/min, n=39) VO2max group. The average MFO was higher in the high VO2max group than in the low VO2max group (0.46±0.19 vs 0.28±0.11 g/min; P<0.001). Although Fatmax tended toward higher values in the high VO2max group, no difference was observed between the groups (49.15±15.22 vs 42.42±12.37% of VO2max; P=0.18). It was also shown that the high VO2max group had a lower CHO oxidation rate and a higher fat oxidation rate at given exercise intensities. In conclusion, it seems that MFO and substrate oxidation rates in taekwondo athletes can be influenced by aerobic fitness level such that the athletes with higher VO2max appeared to use more fat as a fuel source for energy supply during a given exercise.

Does fitness level modulate the cardiovascular hemodynamic response to exercise?

2006 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 1895-1901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael K. Stickland ◽  
Robert C. Welsh ◽  
Stewart R. Petersen ◽  
John V. Tyberg ◽  
William D. Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Right Atrial ◽  
Peak Exercise ◽  
Fitness Level ◽  
End Diastolic Volume ◽  
Diastolic Compliance ◽  
Cardiac Filling ◽  
Response To Exercise

Subjects with greater aerobic fitness demonstrate better diastolic compliance at rest, but whether fitness modulates exercise cardiac compliance and cardiac filling pressures remains to be determined. On the basis of maximal oxygen consumption (V̇o2max), healthy male subjects were categorized into either low (LO: V̇o2max = 43 ± 6 ml·kg−1·min−1; n = 3) or high (HI: V̇o2max = 60 ± 3 ml·kg−1·min−1; n = 5) aerobic power. Subjects performed incremental cycle exercise to 90% V̇o2max. Right atrial (RAP) and pulmonary artery wedge (PAWP) pressures were measured, and left ventricular (LV) transmural filling pressure (TMFP = PAWP − RAP) was calculated. Cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume (SV) were determined by direct Fick, and LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) was estimated from echocardiographic fractional area change and Fick SV. There were no between-group differences for any measure at rest. At a submaximal workload of 150 W, PAWP and TMFP were higher ( P < 0.05) in LO compared with HI (12 vs. 8 mmHg, and 9 vs. 4 mmHg, respectively). At peak exercise, CO, SV, and EDV were lower in LO ( P < 0.05). RAP was not different at peak exercise, but PAWP (23 vs. 15 mmHg) and TMFP (12 vs. 6 mmHg) were higher in LO ( P < 0.05). Compared with less fit subjects, subjects with greater aerobic fitness demonstrated lower LV filling pressures during exercise, whereas SV and EDV were either similar (submaximal exercise) or higher (peak exercise), suggesting superior diastolic function and compliance.

Free fatty acid metabolism in aerobically fit individuals

1994 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 2374-2379 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Calles-Escandon ◽  
P. Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Free Fatty Acid ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Acid Oxidation ◽  
Systemic Delivery ◽  
Maximal Aerobic Capacity ◽  
Fitness Level ◽  
The Impact

The impact of aerobic fitness level on the production and disposal of serum free fatty acids was investigated in 26 normal young volunteers. The fitness level was ascertained by history and confirmed by determination of maximal aerobic capacity. Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation at rest were measured with indirect calorimetry. Free fatty acid turnover was measured with an infusion of [14C]palmitic acid. All tests were done > or = 48 h after the last bout of exercise. The sedentary (SED) volunteers had higher rates of systemic delivery of fatty acids than aerobically fit (FIT) individuals (532 +/- 53.4 vs. 353 +/- 62.3 mumol/min; P = 0.05). This difference was accentuated when the values were normalized to fat-free mass (9.2 +/- 0.8 and 5.9 +/- 0.98 mumol.kg-1.min-1 for SED and FIT, respectively). Fatty acid oxidation was similar between FIT and SED volunteers in absolute numbers (209 +/- 25 vs. 202 +/- 21 mumol/min, respectively; NS) as well as when normalized to fat-free mass (3.8 +/- 0.9 vs. 3.6 +/- 1.4 mumol.kg-1.min-1, respectively; NS). In contrast, the nonoxidative disposal of serum fatty acids was higher in SED (330 +/- 46.1 mumol/min) than in FIT individuals (144 +/- 52 mumol/min; P = 0.026). Thus, the ratio of nonoxidative to oxidative disposal rates of fatty acids was higher in SED than in FIT individuals (1.65 +/- 0.29 vs. 0.75 +/- 0.17; P = 0.021). The data support the hypothesis that high aerobic fitness level is associated with a low rate of systemic delivery of fatty acids at rest. Nevertheless, subjects with high aerobic fitness levels have fat oxidation at the same rate as unfit individuals.

Associations of Self-rated Fitness and Different Types of Leisure Time Physical Activity With Predicted Aerobic Fitness in 5979 Finnish Adults

2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Borodulin ◽  
Timo Lakka ◽  
Tiina Laatikainen ◽  
Raija Laukkanen ◽  
Hannu Kinnunen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Aerobic Fitness ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Healthy Men ◽  
Fitness Level

Background:In large population studies, comparisons of physical activity, self-rated fitness, and measured aerobic fitness are seldom reported. Measuring aerobic fitness is time-consuming and expensive, thus alternative methods are needed.Objectives:To investigate the recently established Polar Fitness Test (PFT) as a method to predict maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max, a measure of maximal aerobic power), to assess distribution of predicted VO2max by gender and age, and to compare predictions to self-reported leisure time physical activity and self-rated fitness level in a large Finnish population sample.Methods:The study population comprised 5979 men and women aged 25 to 74 years who participated in the National FINRISK Study. Subjects filled in standardized questionnaires assessing self-rated fitness level and total, conditioning, commuting, and non-conditioning leisure time physical activity. The PFT was performed by a trained nurse at the study site and was based on resting heart rate measurements, gender, age, height, weight, and self-reported physical activity. Healthy individuals and those with a self-reported cardiovascular disease were analyzed separately.Results:The mean predicted VO2max was 38.1 and 35.1 ml/kg/min in healthy men and women, respectively. In both genders, predicted VO2max declined significantly by age. Individuals with cardiovascular disease had lower VO2max predictions than healthy persons. Healthy men reported total leisure time physical activity slightly less than healthy women. Self-rated fitness level and conditioning and commuting leisure time physical activity were independently associated with predicted VO2max, while no correlation between non-conditioning leisure time physical activity and predicted aerobic fitness was found.Conclusion:PFT was a feasible method to predict aerobic fitness in a large population study and was related both to self-rated fitness and self-reported physical activity. Aerobic fitness was associated with conditioning and commuting physical activity, but not with non-conditioning physical activity.

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