Effect of age on exercise-induced alterations in cognitive executive function: Relationship to cerebral perfusion

S.J.E. Lucas, C.J. Murrell, K.N. Thomas, J.D. Cotter, P.N. Ainslie, E.A. Franz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

90 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Regular exercise improves the age-related decline in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and is associated with improved cognitive function; however, less is known about the direct relationship between CBF and cognitive function. We examined the influence of healthy aging on the capability of acute exercise to improve cognition, and whether exercise-induced improvements in cognition are related to CBF and cortical hemodynamics. Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (MCAv; Doppler) and cortical hemodynamics (NIRS) were measured in 13 young (24±5 y) and 9 older (62±3 y) participants at rest and during cycling at 30% and 70% of heart rate range (HRR). Cognitive performance was assessed using a computer-adapted Stroop task (i.e., test of executive function cognition) at rest and during exercise. Average response times on the Stroop task were slower for the older compared to younger group for both simple and difficult tasks (P
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)541-551
Number of pages11
JournalExperimental gerontology
Volume47
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2012

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