Effect of Acute Physical Exercise on Executive Functions and Emotional Recognition: Analysis of Moderate to High Intensity in Young Adults

The effects of aerobic exercise on goal-directed attention and inhibitory control in individuals with high trait anxiety: an EEG study

Anxiety is known to significantly impair cognitive function, particularly attentional control. While exercise has been demonstrated to alleviate these cognitive deficits, the precise neural mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. This study examines the effects of exercise on attentional control in individuals with high trait anxiety, based on attentional control theory, which suggests that such individuals have reduced top-down attention. Thirty-eight participants were randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a reading group. The exercise group engaged in 30 min of moderate-intensity cycling, while the reading group spent 30 min reading quietly. In Experiment 1, goal-directed attention was assessed using a cue-object paradigm, and in Experiment 2, inhibitory control was evaluated through a visual search task. EEG data indicated that the exercise group exhibited significantly larger Pd components in both experiments, suggesting enhanced attentional focus and improved inhibition of distractors. These findings suggest that aerobic exercise enhances top-down attentional processes, particularly goal-directed attention and distractor inhibition, offering potential as an intervention for individuals with high trait anxiety.

Exploring the longitudinal association between stress and unhealthy eating behaviors: The role of physical activity, BMI, and loneliness

Previous cross-sectional research indicates a link between stress and unhealthy eating, but the longitudinal association remains unknown. This study examined the longitudinal association between perceived stress over a longer time period and unhealthy eating (i.e., sweet and savory snack intake, uncontrolled eating) in a student population. Moreover, we examined whether physical activity buffers such association, and examined whether this buffering effect is stronger for individuals with higher Body Mass Index (BMI) or greater loneliness. Two timepoints of online survey data (Time 1 Oct-Nov 2021, Time 2 May-July 2022) of Dutch university students (n = 1325, 74.7 % female, mean age 22.45 (SD = 2.31)) were used. Results revealed no longitudinal link between stress and snack intake in the total sample, but this association was found in a subgroup of individuals with a higher BMI. Stress at Time 1 was associated with later uncontrolled eating. Physical activity did not moderate the link between stress and unhealthy eating. However, we found a negative longitudinal link between physical activity and uncontrolled eating among individuals with a higher BMI. Our findings suggest that stress does not play an important role in explaining snack intake in university students, but may be associated with uncontrolled eating. Physical activity seems to be linked with a reduction in uncontrolled eating among individuals with a higher BMI specifically. Replication and extension of current findings in a more diverse (e.g., eating disordered) sample would increase insights into the (combined) effects of stress, BMI and physical activity on uncontrolled eating.

Anxiety, inhibitory control, physical activity, and internet addiction in Chinese adolescents: a moderated mediation model

BACKGROUND

Adolescents may have anxiety due to a series of events such as school work and social interaction. Improper handling of anxiety often leads to some negative consequences, such as Internet addiction. Therefore, this study further explored the relationship between anxiety and Internet addiction, as well as the mediating role of inhibitory control between the two, and also considered the moderating role of physical activity between anxiety and inhibitory control.

METHODS

A total of 1607 adolescents, comprising 664 boys and 943 girls with an average age of 15.86 years (SD = 0.73), from Shandong, Shanxi, Hebei, and Hunan provinces completed a self-report survey on physical activity, anxiety, inhibitory control, and Internet addiction. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and mediation test were conducted.

RESULTS

The results revealed a significant positive correlation between anxiety and adolescent internet addiction (r = 0.413, p < 0.001), and a significant negative correlation with inhibitory control (r = -0.423, p < 0.001). Inhibitory control was found to be significantly positively correlated with physical exercise (r = 0.143, p < 0.001) and significantly negatively correlated with internet addiction (r = -0.368, p < 0.001). After controlling for demographic variables, anxiety significantly positively predicted Internet addiction (β = 0.311, p < 0.001) in adolescents, and it also indirectly predicted Internet addiction through inhibitory control (β = -0.231, p < 0.001). Physical activity significantly weakened the predictive effect of anxiety on inhibitory control (β = -0.092, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study further explored the issue of psychological mechanisms between anxiety and Internet addiction in adolescents, and added that physical activity alleviates the negative effects of anxiety on adolescents. Schools and families are encouraged to promote physical exercise among adolescents to alleviate the influence of negative emotions on their psychological and behavioral health.

A friend in need is a friend indeed: Acute tandem rope skipping enhances inter-brain synchrony of socially avoidant individuals

Team-based physical activity (PA) can improve social cognition; however, few studies have investigated the neurobiological mechanism underlying this benefit. Accordingly, a hyper-scanning protocol aimed to determine whether the interbrain synchrony (IBS) is influenced by an acute bout of team-based PA (i.e., tandem rope skipping). Specifically, we had socially avoidant participants (SOA, N=15 dyads) and their age-matched controls (CO, N=16 dyads) performed a computer-based cooperative task while EEG was recorded before and after two different experimental conditions (i.e., 30-min of team-based PA versus sitting). Phase locking value (PLV) was used to measure IBS. Results showed improved frontal gamma band IBS after the team-based PA compared to sitting when participants received successful feedback in the task (Mskipping = 0.016, Msittting = -0.009, p = 0.082, ηp2 = 0.387). The CO group showed a larger change in frontal and central gamma band IBS when provided failure feedback in the task (Mskipping = 0.017, Msittting = -0.009, p = 0.075, ηp2 = 0.313). Thus, results suggest that socially avoidant individuals may benefit from team-based PA via improved interbrain synchrony. Moreover, our findings deepen our understanding of the neurobiological mechanism by which team-based PA may improve social cognition among individuals with or without social avoidance.

The relationship between physical activity and Internet addiction among adolescents in western China: a chain mediating model of anxiety and inhibitory control

This study aims to investigate the mediating effect of anxiety and inhibitory control in the relationship between physical activity and Internet addiction (IA) among adolescents. A total of 951 adolescents from western China completed a self-report survey assessing physical activity, anxiety, inhibitory control, and IA. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and mediation analysis were conducted using SPSS software and the Process plug-in. Controlling for age, gender, and only child status, the findings revealed a negative association between physical activity and anxiety, inhibitory control, and IA. Moreover, anxiety were positively correlated with inhibitory control and IA. Additionally, anxiety exhibited a positive association with inhibitory control. Notably, physical activity directly and negatively predicted IA in adolescents, while also indirectly predicting it through anxiety and inhibitory control. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the complex effects of physical activity on IA among adolescents.

Relationship between physical exercise, bullying, and being bullied among junior high school students: the multiple mediating effects of emotional management and interpersonal relationship distress

OBJECTIVE

This paper investigates the relationships between physical activity (PA), school bullying, emotion regulation self-efficacy (ERS), and interpersonal relationship distress (IRD) among junior high school students. It also examines the underlying mechanisms of school bullying to provide insights into reducing adolescent bullying and to lay the groundwork for preventing and controlling aggressive behaviors.

METHODS

A survey was conducted on 484 students (240 males, 12.18 ± 0.8 years) from 4 secondary schools using the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS), Emotional Management Self-Efficacy Scale (EMSS), Interpersonal Relationship Distress Scale (IRDS), and Campus Bullying Scale (CBS) to examine the effects among the variables. A stratified random sampling method was used to select the sample, and data were collected with a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 and AMOS 24.0 statistical software. The analysis included Pearson correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and bias-corrected percentile Bootstrap methods.

RESULTS

(1) PA negatively predicts IRD, which in turn has an indirect effect on bullying (PA → IRD → Bullying), ES = -0.063. Additionally, EM and IRD act as mediators between PA and school bullying (PA → EM → IRD → Bullying), ES = 0.025. (2) PA negatively predicts IRD, which has an indirect effect on being bullied (PA → IRD → Being bullied), ES = -0.044. EM and IRD serve as chain mediators between PA and being bullied (PA → EM → IRD → Being bullied), ES = -0.071.

CONCLUSION

PA can positively predict bullying, but it can be mitigated through EM to reduce IRD, thereby decreasing the occurrence of campus bullying and being bullied.

Acute effects of exercise on gaze fixation and affective response inhibition in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized cross-over study

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show impairments in response inhibition, especially in socio-emotional contexts. A single aerobic exercise session has the potential to temporarily reduce such impairments as findings from neurotypical children support acute benefits of this exercise type for inhibitory control and emotion recognition. In children with ASD, we therefore aimed to investigate the effects of an aerobic exercise bout on response inhibition in an emotional Go/NoGo task and gaze fixation as possible mechanism underlying changes in performance. Using a cross-over design, 29 patients completed a 20-min aerobic exercise bout at moderate intensity on a cycling ergometer and a control condition in a randomized order. An emotional Go/NoGo task was administered before and after both experimental conditions. Eye-tracking was performed during the cognitive task to assess the duration of gaze fixation of eyes and mouth parts of faces expressing happy or sad emotions. The results support no beneficial effect of exercise on performance on the emotional Go/NoGo task. Instead, patients showed a greater decrease in accuracy on Go trials displaying happy faces in the exercise compared to the control condition. This change was associated with a more pronounced decrease in the fixation duration of the eyes for faces expressing either happy or sad emotions. In conclusion, while a single session of moderately intense aerobic exercise does not affect response inhibition, it temporarily aggravates ASD-specific deficits in the processing of and response to facial emotions.

Effects of Cognitive and Physical Load of Acute Exercise on Inhibitory Control and Prefrontal Cortex Hemodynamics in Children

INTRODUCTION

Evidence suggests that acute exercise benefits inhibitory control, but it remains unclear how physical and cognitive load influence this ability in preadolescent children, when faced with different types of distractors. We examined their moderating effects along with changes in prefrontal cortex hemodynamics.

METHODS

Using a crossover design, 29 participants completed 10 min of exercise (with an interactive training wall) at 1) low physical and low cognitive load, 2) low physical and high cognitive load, 3) high physical and low cognitive load, and 4) high physical and high cognitive load in a randomized order. Before and after each condition, they performed a Standard and Affective Stroop task. During both tasks, the lateral oxygenation difference in the prefrontal cortex was measured by using functional near-infrared spectroscopy.

RESULTS

For the Standard Stroop task, there was no effect of physical and cognitive load on performance. In contrast, exercise with low compared with high cognitive load was associated with a greater reduction of reaction time and increase in accuracy on the Affective Stroop task. This was accompanied by a decrease in lateral oxygenation difference on trials with low inhibitory control demands.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute exercise with low compared with high cognitive demand benefits the ability to resolve emotional conflict, but the control over inhibition of nonemotional information remains unaffected. This effect of cognitive load is complemented by an increased efficiency of the left prefrontal cortex, when no emotional conflict resolution is required.

Effects of Physical Activity and COVID-19 on Healthy Student Strengths in the University System: Implications for Post-Pandemic Management

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the physical, mental, and social well-being of millions worldwide. It has also brought about abrupt disruptions to the entire university system, whose students form a crucial segment of society. The pandemic's effects on student education and well-being have been particularly significant. One of the primary consequences has been a drastic reduction in physical activity levels among students, leading to mental and physical health problems. Despite the rapid growth in the literature exploring student experiences during the pandemic, there is a paucity of research on how this decline in physical activity has affected the five strengths of the healthy student: optimism, self-efficacy, resilience, engagement, and hope. Therefore, the aim of this investigation is to examine the relationship between physical activity levels and the five strengths of the healthy student at two different time points (pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19) through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Healthy Student Questionnaire. The study involved 897 participants, with 290 participating in the pre-COVID-19 phase and 607 participating in the COVID-19 phase. The results revealed significant differences in the five strengths between the two periods. Students who engaged in physical activity exhibited significantly higher optimism scores in the pre-COVID-19 phase. During the COVID-19 phase, physically active students demonstrated significantly higher scores in optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy. These findings provide clear guidance for university administrators seeking to enhance student well-being in a post-pandemic world and in the face of future disruptions. Universities should consider implementing physical exercise programs for their students to promote psychosocial well-being and provide training and resources to equip faculty members with new skills to better understand and support students' perceptions.

Executive function elevated by long term high-intensity physical activity and the regulation role of beta-band activity in human frontal region

The importance of physical activity (PA) to people's health has become a consensus around the world, and regular long-term PA has been accepted as an alternative preventive measure for many chronic medical conditions. Although the daily PA have several benefits for the public, the systematic research on its effect in human physiology, cognition and cerebral nerve level is not fully studied. Hence, in this study, we aim to investigate this question in several specific aspects: basal heart rate, executive function, and neural oscillatory activity in the brain. A total of 146 subjects participated in this study and they were divided into two groups. One group (SG) is the long-term training (more than 8 years) subjects in soccer (n = 31), and the other group (CG) is a normal control group (n = 115). The heart rate was monitored with a portable equipment. Besides, 24 subjects (14 in SG and 10 in CG) participated the Go/No-Go task and EEG recording before and after exercise fatigue task. In the physiology level, we found that in the non-training time, the heart rate in CG group is significantly higher than that of the SG group (P < 0.001). In the cognition level, we found that the SG group has a faster reaction time that that of CG group (P < 0.01), while for the accuracy, two groups did show significant difference. In the neural level in the brain, we found a significant abnormal increased beta-band (around 25 Hz) activity in CG group after the exercise fatigue task immediately. Long-term high-intensity physical activity reduces basal heart rate, improves executive function, and improve the central tolerance of the body under the stimulation of fatigue and stress. These benefits of long-term activity could be used as a manual to guide people's healthy life.

Relationship between emotional intelligence and job stressors of psychiatric nurses: A multi-centre cross-sectional study

AIM

To investigate the impact of socio-demographic factors and job stressors on the emotional intelligence of psychiatric nurses.

BACKGROUND

Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in enabling nurses to effectively manage their own emotions, comprehend the emotions of others and assist individuals in dealing with diverse stressors. Nevertheless, a comprehensive conceptualization of the relationship between job stressors and emotional intelligence remains lacking.

DESIGN

This study employs a multi-centre cross-sectional design.

METHODS

A multi-centre cross-sectional survey involving 1083 registered nurses from 11 psychiatric hospitals across four provinces in China was conducted. Non-probability sampling was utilised. The survey encompassed assessments of nurse job stressors, emotional intelligence using a scale and socio-demographic characteristics using a questionnaire. A multiple linear regression model was applied to identify significant variables associated with emotional intelligence based on demographic attributes and various nurse job stressors. The study adhered to the STROBE checklist.

RESULTS

The findings revealed a noteworthy negative correlation between nurse job stressors and emotional intelligence. Socio-demographic factors and job stressors of certain nurses were able to predict emotional intelligence and its dimensions among psychiatric nurses, with percentages of 44.50%, 40.10%, 36.40%, 36.60% and 34.60%.

CONCLUSION

Providing emotional intelligence training for psychiatric nurses could enhance their capacity to cope effectively with workplace stress, particularly among younger nurses who engage in limited physical activities.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The analysis of the relationship between emotional intelligence and nurse job stressors could facilitate early detection and intervention by managers based on pertinent factors. This, in turn, could elevate the emotional intelligence level of psychiatric nurses.

NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

This study did not recruit participants, so details of participants were not be involved.

The effects of an acute bout of ergometer cycling on young adults' executive function: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

The extent to which acute exercise improves executive function (EF) remains indeterminate. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effect of acute ergometer cycling exercise on executive function (EF), including the potential moderating effects of exercise intensity and duration, EF task type, and EF task onset.

Methods

We searched seven electronic research databases using cycling- and cognition-related terms. All 17 studies included were published in the last 10 years and comprised healthy participants aged 18-35 years who completed tasks assessing a variety of EFs before and after cycling exercise lasting 10-60 min. We analyzed 293 effect sizes obtained from 494 individuals (mean age = 22.07 ± 2.46 yrs). Additional analyses were performed, using averaged effect sizes for each separate study to examine the omnibus effect across studies.

Results

There was a positive effect of acute ergometer cycling exercise on response time (RT) in 16 of 17 studies reviewed and a positive effect for response accuracy (RA) in 8 of 14 studies; three studies did not report RA data. Hedges' g effect sizes [95% CI] for RT ranged from 0.06 [-0.45, 0.56] to 1.50 [0.58, 2.43] and for RA from -1.94 [-2.61, -1.28] to 1.03 [0.88, 1.19].Bouts of cycling completed at moderate intensities appear to have the greatest effect on RT (Hedges' g = 1.03 [0.88, 1.19]) but no significant effect on RA; bouts with durations of 21-30 min appear to offer the greatest benefits for both RT (Hedges' g = 0.77 [0.41, 1.13]) and RA (Hedges' g = 0.92 [0.31, 1.52]). Effect sizes were greatest for RT in inhibitory control tasks (Hedges' g = 0.91 [0.80, 1.03]) and for RT when EF tasks were completed immediately post-exercise (Hedges' g = 1.11 [0.88, 1.33]).

Findings were similar in the omnibus analyses

moderate-intensity bouts had the greatest effect on RT, SMD = 0.79 (95% CI [0.49, 1.08]), z = 5.20, p < 0.0001, as did cycling durations of 21-30 min, SMD = 0.87 (95% CI [0.58, 1.15], z = 5.95, p < 0.0001. The greatest benefits were derived for inhibitory control tasks, SMD = 0.70 (95% CI [0.43, 0.98]), z = 5.07, p < 0.04, and when the EF task was completed immediately post-exercise, SMD = 0.96 (95% CI [0.51, 1.41]), z = 4.19, p < 0.001. There were no overall effects on RA.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that acute bouts of cycling exercise may be a viable means to enhance RTs in immediately subsequent EF task performance, but moderating and interactive effects of several exercise parameters must also be considered.

Effects of combined physical and cognitive training on executive function of adolescent shooting athletes: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

Individual executive function improvement through physical and cognitive training is a research hotspot in physical education and cognitive science. However, few studies have evaluated whether combined physical and cognitive training (CPCT) has greater benefits for executive function performance and cerebral oxygenation in adolescent athletes than cognitive training alone. This study randomly assigned 33 adolescent shooting athletes to a CPCT (n ​= ​17) or computerized cognitive training (CCT, n ​= ​16) group and compared their executive function after six weeks of training. All subjects were assessed using the 2-back, task-switching, and Stroop tests before and after training. The prefrontal cortex oxygenated hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) activation level was monitored while executing the three tasks using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Our results showed that the CPCT and CCT groups similarly improved their updating function as indicated by the 2-back task accuracy. The CPCT group significantly improved the switching function in the task-switching test accuracy, while the CCT group did not. However, both groups did not improve in behavioral performance as indicated by the inhibition function in the Stroop task. Cerebral oxygenation, indicated by the oxy-Hb activation level in the frontal pole area of the prefrontal lobe, significantly improved in the CPCT group during the three cognitive tasks, whereas the CCT group showed no change. These findings indicated that CPCT endowed greater advantages in task-switching in the behavioral performance of the executive function than CCT. Moreover, CPCT was superior to CCT in increasing task-efficient cerebral oxygenation during the activation of the prefrontal cortex in adolescent shooting athletes.

Acute effect of combined exercise with aerobic and resistance exercises on executive function

Objective

Recent studies indicate that acute exercise, whether aerobic exercise (AE) or resistance exercise (RE), improves cognitive function. However, the effects on cognitive function of combined exercise (CE), involving both AE and RE in an exercise session, remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute CE on cognitive function.

Design

Within-subject design with counterbalancing.

Methods

Fifteen healthy men with a sedentary lifestyle in the previous three months were recruited. The participants were assessed for muscular fitness after performing four upper body exercises for a 10-repetition maximum and underwent a submaximal aerobic fitness assessment for V̇O2peak and corresponding workload (watts). They were then assigned to a CE, RE, or sitting control (SC) session in counterbalanced order and were assessed with the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) after each session.

Results

Acute CE led to a significantly shorter response time compared to SC (p < .05) in the SCWT, wherein there were no significant differences between acute CE and RE (p = 1.00). Additionally, no significant differences in the accuracy rate were observed across the different sessions (ps > .05).

Conclusion

A single session of moderate-intensity CE improved response time in the SCWT, comparable to RE. CE shows promise for enhancing cognitive function, warranting further research on its benefits and other exercise modalities.

The Nervous System as a Pathway for Exercise to Improve Social Cognition

The promotion of autonomic balance and social brain networks may explain the association of endurance exercise and social cognition.

Specific nervous system functions and the regulating roles of oxytocin have evolved because of the necessity to negotiate increasingly complex social systems. We hypothesize that acute and long-term physical activity and exercise have the potential to benefit social cognitive abilities, such as emotion recognition and regulation, by operating on these functions.

The effect of low-intensity exercise on emotional and cognitive engagement in the classroom

This study examined whether engaging in physical exercise during a university class would have beneficial effect on students' learning motivation. One hundred and forty-nine participants took part in a psychology class over nine weeks (one lesson per week); for each lesson, participants engaged in a three-minute physical activity (low-intensity aerobic exercise) or control activity (watching a video), about 20 min after the lesson started. Participants reported higher vigour and lower fatigue during the class when they exercised than when they engaged in control activities. These findings suggest the utility of incorporating a short exercise activity in university settings to enhance students' classroom motivation.

Acute Exercise Improves Inhibitory Control but Not Error Detection in Male Violent Perpetrators: An ERPs Study With the Emotional Stop Signal Task

Violence has been linked to the co-occurrence of cognitive dysfunction and altered activations in several brain regions. Empirical evidence demonstrated the benefits of acute exercise on motor inhibition and error detection and their neuronal processing. However, whether such effects also hold for the population with violent behaviors remains unknown. This study examined the effects of acute aerobic exercise on inhibitory control and error monitoring among violent offenders. Fifteen male violent offenders were counterbalanced into experimental protocols, which comprised a 30-min moderately aerobic exercise [60% heart rate (HR) reserve] and a 30-min reading control session. After each session, participants performed an emotional stop signal task while event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded simultaneously. Results showed insignificant changes in ERPs components [i.e., N2, P3, error-related negativity (ERN), and error-positivity (Pe) amplitudes] and the behavioral performance in go condition, stop accuracy, and post-error adjustments by exercise. However, the current study demonstrated that the acute exercise facilitated stop signal reaction time (SSRT) when compared to the control session regardless of emotional conditions. This is the first research to exhibit the improvements in inhibitory performance by acute exercise for violent offenders. Most importantly, this effect was independent of affective settings, expanding the existing knowledge of the influences of acute exercise on cognition. Our findings implicate the perspective of acute exercise for clinical and correctional practices.

The Influence of Chinese College Students' Physical Exercise on Life Satisfaction: The Chain Mediation Effect of Core Self-evaluation and Positive Emotion

Physical exercise is an important way for college students to maintain their physical health, and life satisfaction is one of the important indicators of college students' mental health. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between physical exercise and life satisfaction of college students. Additionally, we also seek to demonstrate the chain mediating effects of core self-evaluation and positive emotion on this relationship. A total of 794 Chinese college students, 324 men and 470 women, participated in the study. The participants were 17-25years old (M=19.96±1.54). They completed the Exercise Adherence Questionnaire, Core Self-evaluation Scale, Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results showed a strong positive relationship between physical exercise and life satisfaction and verified the mediating effect of core self-evaluation and positive emotion on this relationship. The results also confirmed the chain mediating model between physical exercise, core self-evaluation, positive emotion, and life satisfaction. It enlightens us that we should pay more attention to the organic combination of students' physical activities and mental health education.

Higher VO2max is associated with thicker cortex and lower grey matter blood flow in older adults

VO₂max (maximal oxygen consumption), a validated measure of aerobic fitness, has been associated with better cerebral artery compliance and measures of brain morphology, such as higher cortical thickness (CT) in frontal, temporal and cingular cortices, and larger grey matter volume (GMV) of the middle temporal gyrus, hippocampus, orbitofrontal cortex and cingulate cortex. Single sessions of physical exercise can promptly enhance cognitive performance and brain activity during executive tasks. However, the immediate effects of exercise on macro-scale properties of the brain’s grey matter remain unclear. We investigated the impact of one session of moderate-intensity physical exercise, compared with rest, on grey matter volume, cortical thickness, working memory performance, and task-related brain activity in older adults. Cross-sectional associations between brain measures and VO₂max were also tested. Exercise did not induce statistically significant changes in brain activity, grey matter volume, or cortical thickness. Cardiovascular fitness, measured by VO₂max, was associated with lower grey matter blood flow in the left hippocampus and thicker cortex in the left superior temporal gyrus. Cortical thickness was reduced at post-test independent of exercise/rest. Our findings support that (1) fitter individuals may need lower grey matter blood flow to meet metabolic oxygen demand, and (2) have thicker cortex.

Acute Exercise-Induced Set Shifting Benefits in Healthy Adults and Its Moderators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Positive effects of acute exercise on cognitive performances in general inspired research that investigated the effects of acute exercise on specific cognitive subdomains. Many existing studies examined beneficial effects of acute exercise on subsequent set shifting performance in healthy adults. Set shifting, a subdomain of executive function, is the ability to switch between different cognitive sets. The results of existing studies are inconsistent. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted that pooled available effect sizes. Additionally, moderator analyses were carried out to identify covariates that determine the magnitude of exercise-induced set shifting benefits.

Methods: Medline, PsycINFO, and SPORTDiscus were searched for eligible studies. Hedges' g corrected standardized mean difference values were used for analyses. Random-effects weights were applied to pool effects. Potential moderation of the effect of acute exercise on subsequent set shifting performance by exercise intensity, type of exercise, participants' age, and type of control group were examined.

Results: Twenty-two studies (N = 1,900) were included into analysis. All aggregated effect sizes ranged from small to moderate. Overall, a small significant beneficial effect was revealed (g = −0.32, 95 % CI −0.45 to −0.18). Heterogeneity of included effect sizes was moderate and significant (T² = 0.0715, I² = 46.4%, (p < 0.0016). Moderator analyses revealed a larger average effect in older adults than for studies examining younger adults (−0.42 vs. −0.29). Light exercise (−0.51) led to larger effects than moderate (−0.24) or vigorous exercise (−0.29). Studies testing acute exercise against active control groups showed a noticeably smaller average effect (−0.13) than studies that used passive (−0.38) or cognitive engaging control groups (−0.34). Interestingly, application of resistance or aerobic exercise led to no different average effect sizes (−0.30 vs. −0.32). However, none of the tested covariates reached statistical significance.

Conclusion: Acute exercise improves subsequent set shifting performance. However, effect sizes are small, making the relevance for everyday life questionable. The results indicate that older adults benefit more from acute exercise than younger adults do. Light intensity exercise seems most effective while the type of exercise does not seem to influence the magnitude of effects. Research designs with active control groups show the smallest average effect, raising concerns about placebo effects.

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019138799

Twelve-Week Yoga vs. Aerobic Cycling Initiation in Sedentary Healthy Subjects: A Behavioral and Multiparametric Interventional PET/MR Study

Interventional yoga studies with an active control group remain scarce and are important to clarify the underlying neurobiology. We conducted an interventional study in healthy controls using simultaneous positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) imaging and psychometric scales. Thirty healthy, female volunteers (28.4 ± 8.4 years) participated and were randomly assigned to a 12-week yoga or indoor cycling intervention. Before and after the intervention, [¹⁸F]FDG and [¹¹C]UCB-J PET was performed on a simultaneous GE Signa PET/MR with volumetric imaging. Psychometric scales were evaluated on affect, mindfulness, stress, worrying, self-compassion, and interoceptive awareness. Yoga subjects scored higher on interoceptive awareness compared to baseline (p < 0.001). Cognitive (P = 0.009) and overall cognitive functioning (P = 0.01) improved after the yoga intervention compared to the cycling group. We did not observe significant differences in glucose metabolism, synaptic density, or gray matter (GM) volume. The indoor cycling group did not show changes in psychometric variables, but significant increases in relative glucose metabolism were observed in the parahippocampal/fusiform gyrus and cerebellum (P < 0.001). In conclusion, 12 weeks of yoga practice has significant effects on interoceptive awareness and perceived cognitive function in starters. Longer interventions and/or higher frequency of yoga practice may be needed to detect cerebral metabolic and/or morphologic effects on the macroscopic level.

Actividad física y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en una comunidad académica

Objetivo. Explorar las diferencias entre los niveles de actividad física (AF) ‒ligero, moderado y vigoroso‒, en función a la Calidad de Vida Relacionada con la Salud (CvRS). Método. 269 participantes (M = 25.3, DE = 1.5) entre estudiantes, docentes y administrativos de una comunidad académica de Pereira, Colombia. La AF se evaluó con el International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) y la CvRS con el Cuestionario de Salud SF-36. Resultados. Quienes reportaron tener un nivel de AF moderado mostraron significativamente mejor vitalidad, salud mental y salud en general (p < 0.05). Mientras que aquellos con nivel de AF vigoroso promediaron más alto en salud general. Los niveles de AF moderado y vigoroso, en comparación con el ligero, presentaron mayor puntaje en la salud general y mental (p < 0.05). Conclusión. Este estudio aportó evidencia a favor de la hipótesis del vínculo entre AF y CvRS; además, reveló que aquellos con niveles de AF moderado y vigoroso presentan mejor CvRS en dimensiones de función social, vitalidad y salud general y mental. Futuros estudios deberían enfocarse en diferenciar los niveles de AF que mejor favorecen la CvRS, principalmente, en población escolar.

Empatía y Teoría de la Mente: comparación entre deportistas y no deportistas

Objetivo. Comparar la dimensión de cognición social de la Teoría de la Mente (ToM, por sus siglas en inglés) y la empatía entre deportistas y no deportistas. Método. Se ejecutó un diseño transversal con muestreo intencional, en el que 46 deportistas (Medad = 18.2, DE = 4.5) y 48 no deportistas (Medad = 20.2, DE = 3.5) completaron la Tarea de Empatía por el Dolor y el Test de las Miradas. Resultados. No se hallaron diferencias en la ToM, t(92) = 1.21, p = 0.228, d = 0.25. El Anova factorial mixto 3x2 indicó que el comportamiento de empatía es homogéneo por las condiciones (neutral, accidental e intencional) y grupos (deportistas vs no deportistas), F(2, 92) = 0.127, p = 0.881, ηp2 = 0.001. Sin embargo, la comparación de medias mostró diferencias favorables para deportistas en la condición de estímulos neutrales (p < 0.05). Conclusión. No hay variabilidad de la ToM, ni en las condiciones de accidentalidad e intencionalidad en el aspecto empático; mientras que en estímulos neutrales, el promedio difiere favorablemente para los deportistas.

A single bout of physical exercise does not affect young adults’ executive functions

Study aim. The purpose of the current study is to determine the impact of single bouts of physical exercise of different duration and intensity on young adults’ executive functions.

Material and methods. The study employed 81 participants (37 females, 44 males) ranging between 19 and 39 years (mean age: 24.6 ± 4.08 years; mean height: 168 ± 9.67 cm; mean weight: 67.2 ± 13.0 kg). The executive functions were assessed through the Stroop task, the Tower of London test, and the Corsi block test. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental conditions (30-second Wingate test condition, an incremental intensity exercise test, and a submaximal constant-intensity test) or the control group.

Results. For all the conditions, repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant effect of time on executive function performances, meaning that participants improved their performance between pre-test and post-test, while the interaction time x activity was in the expected direction but nonsignificant.

Conclusions. Apparently, a single, brief, high-intensity bout of exercise has no effects on young adults’ cognitive functions, but the same experiment should be replicated with a bigger sample.

Effects of Acute Aerobic Exercise Combined with Resistance Exercise on Neurocognitive Performance in Obese Women

To the best of the author’s knowledge, there have been no previous studies conducted on the effects of a combination of acute aerobic and resistance exercise on deficit of inhibitory control in obese individuals. The aim of this study was, thus, to examine the effect of a single bout of such an exercise mode on behavioral and cognitive electrophysiological performance involving cognitive interference inhibition in obese women. After the estimated VO₂max and percentage fat (measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic, Bedford, MA, USA) were assessed, 32 sedentary obese female adults were randomly assigned to an exercise group (EG) and a control group (CG), with their behavioral performance being recorded with concomitant electrophysiological signals when performing a Stroop task. Then, the EG engaged in 30 min of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise combined with resistance exercise, and the CG rested for a similar duration of time without engaging in any type of exercise. After the interventions, the neurocognitive performance was measured again in the two groups. The results revealed that although acute exercise did not enhance the behavioral indices (e.g., accuracy rates (ARs) and reaction times (RTs)), cognitive electrophysiological signals were improved (e.g., shorter N2 and P3 latencies, smaller N2 amplitudes, and greater P3 amplitudes) in the Stroop task after the exercise intervention in the EG. The findings indicated that a combination of acute moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise may improve the neurophysiological inhibitory control performance of obese women.

Effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive outcomes and academic performance in adolescents and young adults: A meta-analysis

The aim was to provide a meta-analysis of studies investigating the effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive outcomes and academic performance in adolescents or young adults. A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed using the following databases: Embase, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science. Studies had to meet the following criteria: controlled study design, investigating the effects of physical activity interventions on cognitive outcomes and academic performance in healthy adolescents or young adults (12-30 years). Results showed that acute interventions (n=44) significantly improved processing speed (ES=0.39), attention (ES=0.34) and, inhibition (ES=0.32). In a subsequent meta-regression, shorter duration of intervention was significantly associated with greater improvements in attention (β=-0.02) and cognitive flexibility (β=-0.04), whereas age, percentage of boys, intensity and dose were not. Chronic interventions (n=27) significantly improved processing speed (ES=0.30), attention (ES=0.50), cognitive flexibility (ES=0.19), working memory (ES=0.59) and language skills (ES=0.31). In the meta-regression, higher percentage of boys was significantly associated with greater improvements in attention (β=0.02) and working memory (β=0.01) whereas age, duration, frequency, dose and load were not. In conclusion, acute and chronic physical activity interventions might be a promising way to improve several cognitive outcomes and language skills in adolescents and young adults.