Working Memory, Cognitive Load and Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Testing the CRUNCH Model with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Agbangla, Nounagnon Frutueux; Audiffren, Michel; Pylouster, Jean; Albinet, Cédric T.

doi:10.3390/brainsci9020038

Cited by 29 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 83 publications

(113 reference statements)

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“…These results are in accordance with previous studies which reported that participants with the highest CRF also presented a higher PFC or occipital cortex oxygenation during a cognitive or visual task, whatever the age, thus supporting the cerebrovascular reserve hypothesis [24,37,60]. Agbangla et al found a similar pattern in working memory task (n-back) and reported that high-fit older adults had a higher response to PFC oxygenation than low-fit older adults [23]. More specifically, active individuals displayed a greater decrease of ∆HHb then inactive individuals during the inhibition condition, which represents greater oxygenation.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Although the studies in the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) field are growing exponentially [20][21][22], most of the studies that address the relationship between PA and cerebral oxygenation have the goal of measuring these factors in older adults to prevent or reduce cognitive impairment [23,24]. Little is known about the relationship between the participation in regular PA and cerebral oxygenation, more specifically prefrontal cortex (PFC) during cognitive processing in young adults, probably because the cerebrovascular reserve is not considered a limiting factor in this period of life [25].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cerebral Oxygenation Reserve: The Relationship Between Physical Activity Level and the Cognitive Load During a Stroop Task in Healthy Young Males

Goenarjo

Bosquet

Berryman

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Introduction: Many studies have reported that regular physical activity is positively associated with cognitive performance and more selectively with executive functions. However, some studies reported that the association of physical activity on executive performance in younger adults was not as clearly established when compared to studies with older adults. Among the many physiological mechanisms that may influence cognitive functioning, prefrontal (PFC) oxygenation seems to play a major role. The aim of the current study was to assess whether executive function and prefrontal oxygenation are dependent on physical activity levels (active versus inactive) in healthy young males. Methods: Fifty-six healthy young males (22.1 ± 2.4 years) were classified as active (n = 26) or inactive (n = 30) according to the recommendations made by the World Health Organization (WHO) and using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Bilateral PFC oxygenation was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during a computerized Stroop task (which included naming, inhibition, and switching conditions). Accuracy (% of correct responses) and reaction times (ms) were used as behavioural indicators of cognitive performances. Changes in oxygenated (∆HbO2) and deoxygenated (∆HHb) hemoglobin were measured to capture neural changes. Several two-way repeated measures ANOVAs (Physical activity level x Stroop conditions) were performed to test the null hypothesis of an absence of interaction between physical activity level and executive performance in prefrontal oxygenation. Results: The analysis revealed an interaction between physical activity level and Stroop conditions on reaction time (p = 0.04; ES = 0.7) in which physical activity level had a moderate effect on reaction time in the switching condition (p = 0.02; ES = 0.8) but not in naming and inhibition conditions. At the neural level, a significant interaction between physical activity level and prefrontal oxygenation was found. Physical activity level had a large effect on ΔHbO2 in the switching condition in the right PFC (p = 0.04; ES = 0.8) and left PFC (p = 0.02; ES = 0.96), but not in other conditions. A large physical activity level effect was also found on ΔHHb in the inhibition condition in the right PFC (p < 0.01; ES = 0.9), but not in the left PFC or other conditions. Conclusion: The results of this cross-sectional study indicate that active young males performed better in executive tasks than their inactive counterparts and had a larger change in oxygenation in the PFC during these most complex conditions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cerebral Oxygenation Reserve: The Relationship Between Physical Activity Level and the Cognitive Load During a Stroop Task in Healthy Young Males

Goenarjo

Bosquet

Berryman

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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“…fNIRS is a relatively low-cost optical imaging technique that allows for the investigation of hemodynamic changes associated with brain activity and has been successfully used to examine activations of the cerebral cortex in normal aging [82] and in patients with AD [83]. Moreover, this optical neuroimaging technique has been proved to be sensitive to brain activation differences as a function of cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults [84]. In addition, it has been shown that this tool can be used in the African population to monitor cerebral hemodynamic activity [85,86].…”

Section: Future Research Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Overview of the Cardiorespiratory Hypothesis and Its Potential Contribution to the Care of Neurodegenerative Disease in Africa

2019

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One hypothesis that could explain the beneficial effects of physical exercise on cognitive function is the cardiorespiratory hypothesis. This hypothesis proposes that improved cognitive functioning may be in part a result of the physiological processes that occur after physical exercise such as: Increased cerebral perfusion and regional cerebral blood flow. These processes ensure increased oxygenation and glucose transportation to the brain, which together can improve cognitive function. The objective of this narrative review is to examine the contribution of this hypothesis in the care of African older adults with neurodegenerative conditions (i.e., dementia (Alzheimer’s disease)) or with mild cognitive impairments. Although studies in developed countries have examined people of African descent (i.e., with African Americans), only the limited findings presented in this review reflect how these conditions are also important for the African continent. This review revealed that no studies have examined the effects of cardiorespiratory fitness on neurodegenerative disease in Africa. African nations, like many other developing countries, have an aging population that is growing and will face an increased risk of neurodegenerative declines. It is therefore imperative that new research projects be developed to explore the role of the cardiorespiratory fitness in neurodegenerative disease prevention in African nations.

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“…In particular, these previous studies observed (i) that higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (e.g., objectified by maximal oxygen uptake [ VO 2 max . ]) are associated with better cognitive performance and higher levels of oxyHb in the PFC [28][29][30][31] as well as (ii) that cortical hemodynamics (e.g., level of oxyHb concentration) mediate, at least partly, the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness level and cognitive performance [30][31][32].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cortical hemodynamics as a function of handgrip strength and cognitive performance: a cross-sectional fNIRS study in younger adults

et al. 2021

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Background There is growing evidence for a positive correlation between measures of muscular strength and cognitive abilities. However, the neurophysiological correlates of this relationship are not well understood so far. The aim of this study was to investigate cortical hemodynamics [i.e., changes in concentrations of oxygenated (oxyHb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxyHb)] as a possible link between measures of muscular strength and cognitive performance. Methods In a cohort of younger adults (n = 39, 18–30 years), we assessed (i) handgrip strength by a handhold dynamometer, (ii) short-term working memory performance by using error rates and reaction times in the Sternberg task, and (iii) cortical hemodynamics of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) via functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Results We observed low to moderate negative correlations (rp = ~ − 0.38 to − 0.51; p < 0.05) between reaction time and levels of oxyHb in specific parts of the PFC. Furthermore, we noticed low to moderate positive correlations (rp = ~ 0.34 to 0.45; p < 0.05) between reaction times and levels of deoxyHb in distinct parts of the PFC. Additionally, higher levels of oxyHb (rp (35) = 0.401; p = 0.014) and lower levels of deoxyHb (rp (34) = − 0.338; p = 0.043) in specific parts of the PFC were linked to higher percentage of correct answers. We also found low to moderate correlations (p < 0.05) between measures of handgrip strength and levels of oxyHb (rp = ~ 0.35; p < 0.05) and levels of deoxyHb (rp = ~ − 0.25 to − 0.49; p < 0.05) in specific parts of the PFC. However, there was neither a correlation between cognitive performance and handgrip strength nor did cortical hemodynamics in the PFC mediate the relationship between handgrip strength and cognitive performance (p > 0.05). Conclusion The present study provides evidence for a positive neurobehavioral relationship between cortical hemodynamics and cognitive performance. Our findings further imply that in younger adults higher levels of handgrip strength positively influence cortical hemodynamics although the latter did not necessarily culminate in better cognitive performance. Future research should examine whether the present findings can be generalized to other cohorts (e.g., older adults).

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Working Memory, Cognitive Load and Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Testing the CRUNCH Model with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Cited by 29 publications

References 83 publications

Cerebral Oxygenation Reserve: The Relationship Between Physical Activity Level and the Cognitive Load During a Stroop Task in Healthy Young Males

Cerebral Oxygenation Reserve: The Relationship Between Physical Activity Level and the Cognitive Load During a Stroop Task in Healthy Young Males

An Overview of the Cardiorespiratory Hypothesis and Its Potential Contribution to the Care of Neurodegenerative Disease in Africa

Cortical hemodynamics as a function of handgrip strength and cognitive performance: a cross-sectional fNIRS study in younger adults

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