A Neurovisceral Integrative Study on Cognition, Heart Rate Variability, and Fitness in the Elderly

Abstract

The association between physical fitness and cognitive performance has been widely investigated in the literature. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying this relationship are not yet clear. Here, we aim to evaluate the interactions between executive function measures, heart rate variability (HRV), and physical fitness in the context of the neurovisceral integration (NVI) theory. Twenty-eight healthy elderly subjects (>60 years) were submitted to evaluation of executive performance with three computerized tests: the N-back test measured working memory capacity, the Stroop Color test evaluated inhibitory control and selective attention, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) evaluated abstract reasoning and cognitive flexibility. We also used the Physical Testing Battery for the Elderly to measure aerobic capacity, dynamic balance, upper body flexibility, and handgrip strength. Our results confirm the relationship between executive function and physical fitness, particularly between working memory, cardiorespiratory fitness, and dynamic balance. We also demonstrate an association between executive performance and HRV in older people, corroborating previous results from other groups obtained in young adults. However, our regression models did not indicate that HRV mediates the relationship between cognition and physical fitness in the elderly, suggesting that age-related degeneration of autonomic control can affect aspects of NVI in this population.

Heart Rate Variability and Cardiovascular Fitness: What We Know so Far

“…[125][126][127][128][129] Another important effect of greater cardiovascular fitness is its association with the improvement and/or maintenance of cognitive skills. [130][131][132] We also highlight the fundamental role of better cardiovascular fitness in the maintenance of health and well-being during aging.…”

New Directions in Exercise Prescription: Is There a Role for Brain-Derived Parameters Obtained by Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy?

“…There are numerous non-linear analysis approaches to appraise HRV, which reflect the systemic character of the organism [245,248,249,[261][262][263]. Moreover, HRV is linked to cognitive performance in specific cognitive domains (e.g., during a resting state) [245,[264][265][266][267][268][269][270][271][272][273] and it is, as outlined in the neurovisceral integration model, associated with the integrity of specific subareas of the PFC (e.g., medial PFC) [247,[273][274][275][276][277][278][279][280]. In summary, this evidence suggests that HRV is a valuable parameter which should be recorded along with fNIRS in order to assess changes in the autonomic system more precisely.…”

HRV Monitoring Using Commercial Wearable Devices as a Health Indicator for Older Persons during the Pandemic

“…Heart rate variability (HRV) consists of the periodic oscillation between heartbeats, and these oscillations are modulated by the Autonomic Nervous System [1,2]. Over the years, several studies have been carried out seeking to correlate the individual's age group with the autonomic changes in the heart, bringing evidence that human aging can promote a decrease in vagal tone and, consequently, in heart rate variability [2,3].…”

“…One of the results of the aging process is the decline in the ability of the autonomic nervous system to adjust blood flow in response to external situations. This autonomic control can be assessed and monitored in a non-invasive way through the heart rate variability being considered as a parameter to estimate the interaction between the brain and the cardiovascular system in elderly individuals [2].…”