Differential associations of engagement in physical activity and estimated cardiorespiratory fitness with brain volume in middle-aged to older adults

Raichlen, David A.; Klimentidis, Yann C.; Bharadwaj, Pradyumna K.; Alexander, Gene E.

doi:10.1007/s11682-019-00148-x

Cited by 39 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…As a possible recent application of some of the ideas proposed by the radically embodied (enactive) views discussed above, consider next a series of recent neuroscientific studies 3 (e.g., Raichlen & Alexander, 2014; Raichlen et al, 2020), which demonstrated a direct link between movement (in the form of aerobic exercises) and development of specific cognitive functions in adults. These studies, and others with them, 4 showed that exercises can profoundly change the structure of our brain, leading to expansion of the prefrontal cortex, of the hippocampus and of other brain areas, directly enhancing our memories and improving our cognitive functions (including specific aspects of planning and even of decision making).…”

Section: Varieties Of Approaches To Embodied Cognitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Embodied cognition: dimensions, domains and applications

Farina

2020

Adaptive Behavior

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This article is intended as a response to Goldinger et al. and to all those, an increasing minority in the sciences, who still belittle the contribution of embodied cognition to our understanding of human cognitive behaviour. In this article (section 1), I introduce the notion of embodiment and explain its dimensions and reach. I review (section 2) a range of embodied cognition theories and highlight the principles and criteria on which they rely or draw from. I focus (section 3) on three crucial empirical domains in which an embodied perspective has driven novel insights about the relationship between mind and cognition. I argue that embodiment is not just a philosophical mantra empty of empirical content. I draw attention (section 4) to some of the recent ways in which principles underlying embodied cognition have begun to be applied in different fields (contemporary psychology). I review some of these interventions and suggest that discussing these applications not only provides additional evidence against any poverty claim but can also help moving the field forward in important ways. Contra Goldinger et al., I therefore conclude (section 5) that embodied cognition is a very fruitful research programme for the empirical sciences and that can adequately explain many aspects of human cognitive behaviour.

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Section: Varieties Of Approaches To Embodied Cognitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Embodied cognition: dimensions, domains and applications

Farina

2020

Adaptive Behavior

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“…The current study used self-report to assess high levels of sports activity, which have been suggested to provide a more reliable self-report measure of PA in older adults (Sylvia et al, 2014 ). Nevertheless, additional work using quantitative measures of MVPA with actigraphy is warranted to further evaluate the effects of different levels of PA on brain aging over the lifespan (Raichlen and Alexander, 2017 ; Raichlen et al, 2019 ). While sports activity has not been widely explored as a specific type of PA often performed by older adults, it is increasingly recognized as an important factor that can benefit cognitive aging and brain health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As measured by accelerometry, greater moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was associated with reduced WMH volumes and the results were not related to CRF (Burzynska et al, 2014 ). Furthermore, using a sample of 7,148 middle-aged to older adults ages 45–80 from the UK Biobank, Raichlen et al ( 2019 ) found that both MVPA and CRF were inversely associated with WMH lesion load after controlling for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors. Together, these findings suggest that MVPA may have beneficial effects on the aging brain aside from those related to cardiovascular health, including the reduction of WM lesion load (Raichlen et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, using a sample of 7,148 middle-aged to older adults ages 45–80 from the UK Biobank, Raichlen et al ( 2019 ) found that both MVPA and CRF were inversely associated with WMH lesion load after controlling for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors. Together, these findings suggest that MVPA may have beneficial effects on the aging brain aside from those related to cardiovascular health, including the reduction of WM lesion load (Raichlen et al, 2019 ). Whether age and PA among older adults interact to influence total and regional WMH volumes in healthy aging, however, has yet to be fully investigated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Interaction of Age and Self-reported Physical Sports Activity on White Matter Hyperintensity Volume in Healthy Older Adults

Franchetti

Bharadwaj

Nguyen

et al. 2020

Front. Aging Neurosci.

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Cerebral white matter (WM) lesion load, as measured by white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has been associated with increasing age and cardiovascular risk factors, like hypertension. Physical sports activity (PSA) may play an important role in maintaining WM in the context of healthy aging. In 196 healthy older adults, we investigated whether participants reporting high levels of PSA (n = 36) had reduced total and regional WMH volumes compared to those reporting low levels of PSA (n = 160). Age group [young-old (YO) = 50-69 years; old-old (OO) = 70-89 years], PSA group, and age by PSA group interaction effects were tested, with sex, hypertension, and body mass index (BMI) as covariates. We found significant main effects for age group and age by PSA group interactions for total, frontal, temporal, and parietal WMH volumes. There were no main effects of PSA group on WMH volumes. The OO group with low PSA had greater total, frontal, temporal, and parietal WMH volumes than the YO with low PSA and OO with high PSA groups. WMH volumes for the YO and OO groups with high PSA were comparable. These findings indicate an age group difference in those with low PSA, with greater WMH volumes in older adults, which was not observed in those with high PSA. The results suggest that engaging in high levels of PSA may be an important lifestyle factor that can help to diminish WMH lesion load in old age, potentially reducing the impact of brain aging.

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“…(3) Previous studies have found that there is a bilateral correlation between physical function and cognitive function (Laurin et al, 2001 ; Rockwood and Middleton, 2007 ; Rockwood et al, 2007 ; Auyeung et al, 2008 ). Exercise and physical activity not only increase cardiorespiratory function and muscle mass but also have beneficial effects on the brain by regulating neurotrophins (Raichlen et al, 2019 ). For example, exercise increases the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), resulting in the generation of new neurons and improved connectivity between existing neurons (Neeper et al, 1995 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drum Communication Program Intervention in Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment and Dementia at Nursing Home: Preliminary Evidence From Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Miyazaki¹,

Okuyama

Mori³

et al. 2020

Front. Aging Neurosci.

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Introduction: Inactivity and consequent deterioration of cognitive and physical function is a major concern among older adults with the limited walking ability and need a high level of care in nursing homes. We aimed to test whether a drumming communication program (DCP) that uses the rhythmic response function of the elderly with cognitive impairment, dementia, and other debilitating disorders would improve their cognitive and physical function. Methods: We conducted a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to investigate the effects of the DCP in 46 nursing home residents who needed high levels of nursing care. The participants were randomly assigned to an intervention and control group. The intervention group attended 30 min of the DCP thrice a week for 3 months. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination-Japanese (MMSE-J) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Physical function was measured using grip strength and active upper limb range of motion with the dominant hand. Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). These measures were analyzed before and after the DCP intervention period, and data for the two groups were compared thereafter. Results: Initially, the participants had low scores on the MMSE-J, and 84.78% of them used wheelchairs. Following the DCP intervention, the MMSE-J and FAB scores of the DCP group improved significantly. In terms of motor function, the active range of motion of the wrist palmar and the shoulder flexion improved in the intervention group. Regarding body composition, the skeletal muscle mass index, total body protein, and the dominant hand muscle mass that was adding physical load decreased.

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Differential associations of engagement in physical activity and estimated cardiorespiratory fitness with brain volume in middle-aged to older adults

Cited by 39 publications

References 53 publications

Embodied cognition: dimensions, domains and applications

Embodied cognition: dimensions, domains and applications

Interaction of Age and Self-reported Physical Sports Activity on White Matter Hyperintensity Volume in Healthy Older Adults

Drum Communication Program Intervention in Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment and Dementia at Nursing Home: Preliminary Evidence From Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

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