Top

Published in:

01-01-2009 | Original Article

Physical inactivity and cognitive functioning: results from bed rest studies

Authors: Darren M. Lipnicki, Hanns-Christian Gunga

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 1/2009

Abstract

In addition to multiple health benefits, participation in physical activity can enhance cognitive functioning. Less clear is how reducing physical activity levels affects cognition, an issue potentially addressed by bed rest studies having included cognitive tests. Detailed and reviewed here are 17 such studies, featuring 251 subjects, bed rest for 7–70 days, and tests of cognition ranging from reaction time to executive functions. The reported effects of bed rest on cognitive performance vary considerably, from a generally expected worsening to an improvement. Practice effects could be implicated in the performance improvements, and reports of worsening are often of limited interpretability or the results were not replicated. Any cognitive effects of bed rest thus remain to be established. Detrimental effects could influence the in-progress plans for human spaceflights to Mars (simulated by bed rest), and have implications for medical conditions promoting inactivity and lifestyles that are largely sedentary.

We accept a reviewer’s suggestion that it may be appropriate to assess baseline performance under normal, 1g conditions when using the bed rest model to specifically investigate the potential impact of microgravity on cognitive functioning.

Artishuk VN, Litsov AN, Stupnitskiy VP et al (1974) Effect of 30-day hypokinesia on the dynamics of higher nervous activity and sleep of an operator. Space Biol Aerosp Med 8:113–117

Asyamolov BF, Panchenko VS, Karpusheva VA et al (1986) Some human reactions during seven-day antiorthostatic hypokinesia. Space Biol Aerosp Med 20:39–44

Booth FW, Laye MJ, Lees SJ et al (2007) Reduced physical activity and risk of chronic disease: the biology behind the consequences. Eur J Appl Physiol 102:381–390. doi:10.1007/s00421-007-0606-5 PubMedCrossRef

Chan RCK, Shum D, Toulopoulou T et al (2008) Assessment of executive functions: review of instruments and identification of critical issues. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 23:201–216. doi:10.1016/j.acn.2007.08.010 PubMedCrossRef

Colcombe S, Kramer AF (2003) Fitness effects on the cognitive function of older adults: a meta-analytic study. Psychol Sci 14:125–130. doi:10.1111/1467-9280.t01-1-01430 PubMedCrossRef

DeRoshia CW, Greenleaf JE (1993) Performance and mood-state parameters during 30-day 6 degrees head-down bed rest with exercise training. Aviat Space Environ Med 64:522–527PubMed

Edwards H, Rose EA, Schorow M et al (1981) Postoperative deterioration in psychomotor function. JAMA 245:1342–1343. doi:10.1001/jama.245.13.1342 PubMedCrossRef

Emery CF, Shermer RL, Hauck ER et al (2003) Cognitive and psychological outcomes of exercise in a 1-year follow-up study of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Health Psychol 22:598–604. doi:10.1037/0278-6133.22.6.598 PubMedCrossRef

ESA (2004) The European space exploration programme Aurora. Available via http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Aurora/ESAEM2PV16D_0.html. Cited 13 March 2008

ESA (2006) Announcement of opportunity: life sciences research in space simulation using the model of bed rest, AO-06-BR. Available via http://spaceflight.esa.int/users/downloads/aobr/aobr2006.pdf. Cited 13 March 2008

Fox KR (1999) The influence of physical activity on mental well-being. Public Health Nutr 2:411–418. doi:10.1017/S1368980099000567 PubMedCrossRef

Gaul C, Schmidt T, Windisch G et al (2006) Subtle cognitive dysfunction in adult onset myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2). Neurology 67:350–352. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000225180.27833.c1 PubMedCrossRef

Gouvier WD, Pinkston JB, Lovejoy JC et al (2004) Neuropsychological and emotional changes during simulated microgravity: effects of triiodothyronine alendronate, and testosterone. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 19:153–163. doi:10.1016/j.acn.2002.09.001 PubMedCrossRef

Haines RF (1973) Effect of prolonged bedrest and +G z acceleration upon peripheral visual response time. Aerosp Med 44:425–432PubMed

Hansen AL, Johnsen BH, Sollers JJ 3rd et al (2004) Heart rate variability and its relation to prefrontal cognitive function: the effects of training and detraining. Eur J Appl Physiol 93:263–272. doi:10.1007/s00421-004-1208-0 PubMedCrossRef

Harada T, Okagawa S, Kubota K (2004) Jogging improved performance of a behavioral branching task: implications for prefrontal activation. Neurosci Res 49:325–337. doi:10.1016/j.neures.2004.03.011 PubMedCrossRef

Hillman CH, Kramer AF, Belopolsky AV et al (2006) A cross-sectional examination of age and physical activity on performance and event-related brain potentials in a task switching paradigm. Int J Psychophysiol 59:30–39. doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2005.04.009 PubMedCrossRef

Ioseliani KK, Narinskaya AL, Khisambeyev SR (1985) Operator’s mental adaptation and work capacity in simulated weightlessness. Space Biol Aerosp Med 19:22–29

Jurado MB, Rosselli M (2007) The elusive nature of executive functions: a review of our current understanding. Neuropsychol Rev 17:213–233. doi:10.1007/s11065-007-9040-z PubMedCrossRef

Kramer AF, Erickson KI (2007) Capitalizing on cortical plasticity: influence of physical activity on cognition and brain function. Trends Cogn Sci 11:342–348. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2007.06.009 PubMedCrossRef

Lambourne K (2006) The relationship between working memory capacity and physical activity rates in young adults. J Sport Sci Med 5:149–153

Lipnicki DM, Byrne DG (2005) Thinking on your back: solving anagrams faster when supine than when standing. Brain Res Cogn Brain Res 24:719–722. doi:10.1016/j.cogbrainres.2005.03.003 PubMedCrossRef

Maquet D, Croisier JL, Renard C et al (2002) Muscle performance in patients with fibromyalgia. Joint Bone Spine 69:293–299. doi:10.1016/S1297-319X(02)00373-1 PubMedCrossRef

Maquet D, Demoulin C, Croisier JL et al (2007) Benefits of physical training in fibromyalgia and related syndromes. Ann Readapt Med Phys 50:363–368. doi:10.1016/j.annrmp.2007.03.021 PubMed

Marishchuk VL, Dzhamgarov TT, Dem’yanenko YK et al (1970) Stability of psychic functions during prolonged confinement to bed. Probl Space Biol 13:175–183

McDonald CM (2002) Physical activity, health impairments, and disability in neuromuscular disease. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 81:S108–S120. doi:10.1097/00002060-200211001-00012 PubMedCrossRef

Mitrushina M, Satz P (1991) Effect of repeated administration of a neuropsychological battery in the elderly. J Clin Psychol 47:790–801. doi:10.1002/1097-4679(199111)47:6<790::AID-JCLP2270470610>3.0.CO;2-CPubMedCrossRef

NASA (2008) NASA’s plans to explore the moon, Mars and beyond. Available via http://www.nasa.gov/mission-pages/exploration/mmb.html. Cited 13 March 2008

Oaksford M, Morris F, Grainger B et al (1996) Mood, reasoning, and central executive processes. J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn 22:476–492. doi:10.1037/0278-7393.22.2.476 CrossRef

Park DC, Glass JM, Minear M et al (2001) Cognitive function in fibromyalgia patients. Arthritis Rheum 44:2125–2133. doi:10.1002/1529-0131(200109)44:9<2125::AID-ART365>3.0.CO;2-1PubMedCrossRef

Pavy Le-Traon A, Rous De Feneyrols A, Cornac A et al (1994) Psychomotor performance during a 28-day head-down tilt with and without lower body negative pressure. Acta Astronaut 32:319–330. doi:10.1016/0094-5765(94)90083-3 PubMedCrossRef

Pavy-Le Traon A, Heer M, Narici MV et al (2007) From space to Earth: advances in human physiology from 20 years of bed rest studies (1986–2006). Eur J Appl Physiol 101:143–194. doi:10.1007/s00421-007-0474-z PubMedCrossRef

Pedersen BK, Saltin B (2006) Evidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in chronic disease. Scand J Med Sci Sports 16(Suppl 1):3–63. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0838.2006.00520.x PubMedCrossRef

Penedo FJ, Dahn JR (2005) Exercise and well-being: a review of mental and physical health benefits associated with physical activity. Curr Opin Psychiatry 18:189–193. doi:10.1097/00001504-200503000-00013 PubMedCrossRef

Roberts CK, Barnard RJ (2005) Effects of exercise and diet on chronic disease. J Appl Physiol 98:3–30. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00852.2004 PubMedCrossRef

Ryback RS, Lewis OF, Lessard CS (1971a) Psychobiologic effects of prolonged bed rest (weightlessness) in young, healthy volunteers (study II). Aerosp Med 42:529–535PubMed

Ryback RS, Trimble RW, Lewis OF et al (1971b) Psychobiologic effects of prolonged weightlessness (bed rest) in young healthy volunteers. Aerosp Med 42:408–415PubMed

Saunamäki T, Jehkonen M (2006) A review of executive functions in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Acta Neurol Scand 115:1–11. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0404.2006.00744.x CrossRef

Seaton KA, Slack KJ, Sipes W et al (2007) Artificial gravity as a multi-system countermeasure: effects on cognitive function. J Gravit Physiol 14:P27–P30PubMed

Shehab RL, Schlegel RE, Schiflett SG et al (1998) The NASA Performance Assessment Workstation: cognitive performance during head-down bed rest. Acta Astronaut 43:223–233. doi:10.1016/S0094-5765(98)00156-8 PubMedCrossRef

Sibley BA, Etnier JL (2003) The relationship between physical activity and cognition in children: a meta-analysis. Pediatr Exerc Sci 15:243–256

Storm WF, Giannetta CL (1974) Effects of hypercapnia and bed rest on psychomotor performance. Aerosp Med 45:431–433PubMed

Taylor HL, Henschel A et al (1949) Effects of bed rest on cardiovascular function and work performance. J Appl Physiol 2:223–239PubMed

Trimble RW, Lessard CS (1970) Performance decrement as a function of seven days of bed rest. Defence Technical Information Center Report No. AD0713070

Zubek JP, MacNeill M (1966) Effects of immobilization: behavioural and EEG changes. Can J Psychol 20:316–336. doi:10.1037/h0082948 PubMed

Zubek JP, Aftanas M, Hasek J et al (1962) Intellectual and perceptual changes during prolonged perceptual deprivation: low illumination and noise level. Percept Mot Skills 15:171–198CrossRef

Title: Physical inactivity and cognitive functioning: results from bed rest studies
Authors: Darren M. Lipnicki
Hanns-Christian Gunga
Publication date: 01-01-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 1/2009
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0869-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Physical inactivity and cognitive functioning: results from bed rest studies

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2009

Association of recreational physical activity with homocysteine, folate and lipid markers in young women

Reliability of the nociceptive flexor reflex (RIII) threshold and association with Pain threshold

Two methods for determining plasma IL-6 in humans at rest and following exercise

Estimating body fat in NCAA Division I female athletes: a five-compartment model validation of laboratory methods

Walking economy in male adults with Down syndrome

Light-intensity activities are important for estimating physical activity energy expenditure using uniaxial and triaxial accelerometers