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01-12-2008 | Original Article

Exercise, Fitness, and Neurocognitive Function in Older Adults: The “Selective Improvement” and “Cardiovascular Fitness” Hypotheses

Authors: Ann L. Smiley-Oyen, Ph. D., Kristin A. Lowry, M.S, P.T, Sara J. Francois, D.P.T, Marian L. Kohut, Ph. D., Panteleimon Ekkekakis, Ph. D.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 3/2008

Abstract

Background

Although basic research has uncovered biological mechanisms by which exercise could maintain and enhance adult brain health, experimental human studies with older adults have produced equivocal results.

Purpose

This randomized clinical trial aimed to investigate the hypotheses that (a) the effects of exercise training on the performance of neurocognitive tasks in older adults is selective, influencing mainly tasks with a substantial executive control component and (b) performance in neurocognitive tasks is related to cardiorespiratory fitness.

Methods

Fifty-seven older adults (65–79 years) participated in aerobic or strength-and-flexibility exercise training for 10 months. Neurocognitive tasks were selected to reflect a range from little (e.g., simple reaction time) to substantial (i.e., Stroop Word–Color conflict) executive control.

Results

Performance in tasks requiring little executive control was unaffected by participating in aerobic exercise. Improvements in Stroop Word–Color task performance were found only for the aerobic exercise group. Changes in aerobic fitness were unrelated to changes in neurocognitive function.

Conclusions

Aerobic exercise in older adults can have a beneficial effect on the performance of speeded tasks that rely heavily on executive control. Improvements in aerobic fitness do not appear to be a prerequisite for this beneficial effect.

Data collected from a diverse sample of 230 individuals (including cardiac patients, healthy adults, and athletes) showed that the mean error (measured vs. predicted) based on this formula was −0.6 ± 3.4 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, the correlation between measured and predicted values was 0.97, and the standard error of prediction was 3.6 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ [46].

Note that the computerized version of the Stroop test, by requiring that participants learn to associate a particular key with a particular response, probably places higher demands on working memory than the traditional paper format, in which responses are given verbally.

We consider the results of imaging studies of the Stroop as applicable to the present study because, like the present study, imaging studies typically also involve the computerized version of the test and responses are entered through a keypad.

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Title: Exercise, Fitness, and Neurocognitive Function in Older Adults: The “Selective Improvement” and “Cardiovascular Fitness” Hypotheses
Authors: Ann L. Smiley-Oyen, Ph. D.
Kristin A. Lowry, M.S, P.T
Sara J. Francois, D.P.T
Marian L. Kohut, Ph. D.
Panteleimon Ekkekakis, Ph. D.
Publication date: 01-12-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 3/2008
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9064-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Exercise, Fitness, and Neurocognitive Function in Older Adults: The “Selective Improvement” and “Cardiovascular Fitness” Hypotheses

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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