The relationship between sustained attention and aerobic fitness in a group of young adults

Abstract

BackgroundA growing set of studies has shown a positive relationship between aerobic fitness and a broad array of cognitive functions. However, few studies have focused on sustained attention, which has been considered a fundamental cognitive process that underlies most everyday activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of aerobic fitness as a key factor in sustained attention capacities in young adults.MethodsForty-four young adults (18–23 years) were divided into two groups as a function of the level of aerobic fitness (high-fit and low-fit). Participants completed the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) and an oddball task where they had to detect infrequent targets presented among frequent non-targets.ResultsThe analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed faster responses for the high-fit group than for the low-fit group in the PVT, replicating previous accounts. In the oddball task, the high-fit group maintained their accuracy (ACC) rate of target detection over time, while the low-fit group suffered a significant decline of response ACC throughout the task.DiscussionImportantly, the results show that the greater sustained attention capacity of high-fit young adults is not specific to a reaction time (RT) sustained attention task like the PVT, but it is also evident in an ACC oddball task. In sum, the present findings point to the important role of aerobic fitness on sustained attention capacities in young adults.

Demographics and Health Behavior of Video Game and eSports Players in Germany: The eSports Study 2019

“…For example, promoting the implementation of trained coaches could be a possible approach to integrate holistic and health-promoting training concepts into the daily routines of eSports players. Although research identifying the essential skills for success in eSports is limited, it may be assumed that fitness training and training content from traditional sports may also benefit skills that are necessary for good eSports performance like, e.g., sustained attention [45] or reaction time [46,47]. Right now, about half of the respondents, and predominantly those who compete in official tournaments and leagues, complete structured training but most of it takes place without a coach and almost solely in the digital environment.…”

Effects of physical activity on sustained attention: a systematic review

“…In assessing sustained attention ability, there are many types and versions of sustained attention tests. The most frequent test used was the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) [13][14][15][16][17][18], followed by the Continuous Performance Test and its many versions such as Identical Pairs [19], and Conners'-II [20]. Other sustained attention tests are Digit Vigilance Test [21]; Picture Deletion Task Performance [22]; Rapid Visual Processing [23]; and Visual Pursuit Test [24].…”

The relationship between vigilance capacity and physical exercise: A mixed-effects multistudy analysis

“…Enhanced physical or cardiovascular fitness is one of the main consequences of the regular practice of physical exercise that has been related to cognitive performance 4,10-12 . In the particular case of vigilance, our studies showed that higher-fit individuals outperformed lower-fit individuals in the PVT 8,13,14 . The evidence comes from both behavioural (RT) and electrophysiological measures (event related brain and cardiac potentials).…”

“…However, those RT group differences from the single studies might still be meaningful but explained by the influence of an unknown (uncontrolled) variable. Moreover, in the studies showing positive results, group differences were not only seen in terms of RT but also in accuracy performance in an oddball task (with much lower RT demands than the PVT; see Ciria et al 13 ), and, more importantly, in task-related cardiac and electroencephalographic measures 8,14,39 . If those group differences were to be true, the result of the present analysis suggests that they were not due to mere differences in cardiovascular fitness.…”

“…Across studies, VO 2 consumption (ml•kg −1 •min −1 ) during exercise was employed as the main index of cardiovascular fitness and was estimated and reported using three different methods: A = estimation of the VO 2max (ml•kg −1 •min −1 ) from the maximum power output measured in watts in a maximal incremental cycle-ergometer test 25 (Studies 1 and 7; see Luque-Casado et al 8 and Ballester et al 24 for details); B = estimation of the VO 2max (ml•kg −1 •min −1 ) from the Léger Multi-stage fitness test 27 (Studies 2 and 6; see Ballester et al 19,23 for details); C = direct measure of oxygen uptake (ml•kg −1 •min −1 ) at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT; VO 2 at VAT ) in a submaximal incremental cycle-ergometer test (Studies 3-5; see Ciria et al 13 and Luque-Casado et al 14…”