Exercise, cognitive function, and the brain: Advancing our understanding of complex relationships

Etnier, Jennifer L.; Chang, Yu Kai

doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2019.03.008

Cited by 26 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Frequent exercise or physical activity might lead to adaptation of biological systems, including changes in neural hormones and endorphins [ 49 ], increasing density and efficiency of mineralocorticoid receptors and diminishing the cortisol synthesis [ 50 ], as well as improving cardiorespiratory fitness and strength [ 51 ]. Furthermore, exercise also elevates self-efficacy, self-esteem, feelings of mastery [ 51 , 52 , 53 ], and cognitive function [ 54 , 55 , 56 ]. These positive physiological and psychological changes might be the mechanisms for improvements in mood states associated with both exercise before and during the pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exercise Behavior and Mood during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan: Lessons for the Future

Chang

Hung

Timme

et al. 2020

IJERPH

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its associated governmental recommendations and restrictions have influenced many aspects of human life, including exercise and mental health. This study aims to explore the influence of COVID-19 on exercise behavior and its impact on mood states, as well as predict changes in exercise behavior during a similar future pandemic in Taiwan. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 7 April and 13 May 2020 (n = 1114). Data on exercise behavior pre and during the pandemic and mood states were collected. A cumulative link model was used to predict changes in exercise frequency during a similar future pandemic by exercise frequency during the pandemic. A linear model was used to predict the influence of exercise frequency before and during the pandemic on mood states during the pandemic. A total of 71.2%, 67.3%, and 58.3% of respondents maintained their exercise intensity, frequency, and duration, respectively, during the pandemic. Frequent exercisers are more likely to maintain their exercise frequency during a similar pandemic (p < 0.001). Higher exercise frequencies during the pandemic were associated with better mood states (p < 0.05). Moreover, the effects of prepandemic exercise frequency on mood states are moderated by changes in exercise frequency during the pandemic (p < 0.05). Additionally, maintenance of exercise frequency during a pandemic specifically for frequent exercisers are recommended to preserve mood states. These results may provide evidence for health policies on exercise promotion and mental health before and during a future pandemic.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exercise Behavior and Mood during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan: Lessons for the Future

Chang

Hung

Timme

et al. 2020

IJERPH

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Finally, it will be important for future studies to examine whether these associations are modified by other factors. For example, recent work has found that the apolipoprotein‐E epsilon 4 (APOE‐ε4) allele and some factors might influence associations between fitness, PA and cognitive function (Chen et al, ; Etnier & Chang, ; Smith et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The association between physical fitness parameters and white matter microstructure in older adults: A diffusion tensor imaging study

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The present study was designed to examine whether different measures of physical fitness are differentially associated with white matter (WM) microstructure in older adults. Fifty-six healthy adults (mean age: 59.14 years) completed a standardized evaluation of physical fitness measurements (e.g., VO 2peak , push-ups, abdominal situps, sit-and-reach, t test, and vertical jump). Fractional anisotropy (FA), an index of WM microstructure, was assessed using diffusion tensor imaging. The findings indicated that the cardiorespiratory fitness was positively associated with FA in the right cingulum hippocampus and the left cerebral peduncle. However, other physical fitness metrics were not significantly associated with FA in any region. These results suggest that cardiorespiratory fitness, but not other metrics of fitness, might be sensitive to WM microstructure. K E Y W O R D Sfractional anisotropy, physical fitness, white matter microstructure 2 of 11 | CHEN Et al. Highlights Higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associatedwith greater fractional anisotropy (FA) in the right cingulum hippocampus and the left cerebral peduncle. 2. Other physical fitness metrics were not significantly associated with FA in any regions. 3. Cardiorespiratory fitness metrics might be more sensitive to white matter structure than other metrics of fitness. of 11 |

show abstract

“…Regular physical activity has emerged as a low-cost, non-pharmacological treatment for slowing the progression of age-related cognitive decline [10][11][12]. Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated a relationship between higher levels of physical activity and reduced risk of cognitive impairment [13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Exercise Training on Brain Structure and Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review Based on Evidence from Randomized Control Trials

Chen

Hopman

Huang

et al. 2020

JCM

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Accumulating evidence suggests that exercise training is associated with improvements in brain health in older adults, yet the extant literature is insufficient in detailing why exercise training facilitates brain structure and function. Specifically, few studies have employed the FITT-VP principle (i.e., Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type, Volume, and Progression) to characterize the exercise exposure, thus research is yet to specify which characteristics of exercise training benefit brain outcomes. To determine whether exercise training is consequential to cognitive and brain outcomes, we conducted a systematic review investigating the effects of exercise training on brain structure and function in older adults. PubMed and Scopus were searched from inception to February 2020, and study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. A total of 24 randomized controlled trials were included. This systematic review indicates that older adults involved in exercise training may derive general benefits to brain health, as reflected by intervention-induced changes in brain structure and function. However, such benefits are dependent upon the dose of the exercise intervention. Importantly, current evidence remains limited for applied exercise prescriptions (e.g., volume, progression) and future research is needed to clarify the effects of exercise training on cognitive and brain outcomes in older adults.

show abstract

Exercise, cognitive function, and the brain: Advancing our understanding of complex relationships

Cited by 26 publications

References 2 publications

Exercise Behavior and Mood during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan: Lessons for the Future

Exercise Behavior and Mood during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan: Lessons for the Future

The association between physical fitness parameters and white matter microstructure in older adults: A diffusion tensor imaging study

The Effect of Exercise Training on Brain Structure and Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review Based on Evidence from Randomized Control Trials

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About