Higher levels of cardiovascular fitness are associated with better executive function and prefrontal oxygenation in younger and older women

Olivier Dupuy, Claudine J Gauthier, Sarah A Fraser, Laurence Desjardins-Crèpeau, Michèle Desjardins, Said Mekary, Frederic Lesage, Rick D Hoge, Philippe Pouliot, Louis Bherer, Olivier Dupuy, Claudine J Gauthier, Sarah A Fraser, Laurence Desjardins-Crèpeau, Michèle Desjardins, Said Mekary, Frederic Lesage, Rick D Hoge, Philippe Pouliot, Louis Bherer

Abstract

Aim: Many studies have suggested that physical exercise training improves cognition and more selectively executive functions. There is a growing interest to clarify the neurophysiological mechanisms that underlie this effect. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the neurophysiological changes in cerebral oxygenation associated with physical fitness level and executive functions.

Method: In this study, 22 younger and 36 older women underwent a maximal graded continuous test (i.e., [Formula: see text]O2max ) in order to classify them into a fitness group (higher vs. lower fit). All participants completed neuropsychological paper and pencil testing and a computerized Stroop task (which contained executive and non-executive conditions) in which the change in prefrontal cortex oxygenation was evaluated with near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

Results: Our findings revealed a Fitness × Condition interaction (p < 0.05) such that higher fit women scored better on measures of executive functions than lower fit women. In comparison to lower fit women, higher fit women had faster reaction times in the Executive condition of the computerized Stroop task. No significant effect was observed in the non-executive condition of the test and no interactions were found with age. In measures of cerebral oxygenation (ΔHbT and ΔHbO2), we found a main effect of fitness on cerebral oxygenation during the Stroop task such that only high fit women demonstrated a significant increase in the right inferior frontal gyrus.

Discussion/conclusion: Higher fit individuals who demonstrate better cardiorespiratory functions (as measured by [Formula: see text]O2max ) show faster reaction times and greater cerebral oxygenation in the right inferior frontal gyrus than women with lower fitness levels. The lack of interaction with age, suggests that good cardiorespiratory functions can have a positive impact on cognition, regardless of age.

Keywords: cerebral oxygenation; executive function; fitness; prefrontal cortex; right inferior frontal gyrus; stroop.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graphical representation of the computerized Stroop task.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Representations of the two arrays of 4 sources (circle) and 8 detectors (square) on plastic helmets covering prefrontal regions. (pDLPFC, posterior dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; aDLPFC, anterior dorsolateral prefrontal; pVLPFC, posterior ventrolateral prefrontal cortex; aVLPFC, anterior ventrolateral prefrontal cortex; Fp1/Fp2, frontal mark according the 10/20 system; see Okamoto et al., 2004).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Representations of 28 channels NIRS (i.e., detectors- sources) covering prefrontal regions (A), Frontal view; (B), Top view; (C), right sagittal view; (D), left sagittal view.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mean reaction time (ms) in naming and executive conditions for higher fit and lower fit women. *p < 0.05.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Fitness effect between higher fit and lower fit women for HbO2 in frontal (A) and right sagittal view (B), and for HbT in frontal (C) and right sagittal view (D).

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