Abstract
BackgroundThere 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.MethodsIn 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).ResultsWe 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).ConclusionThe 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).
Highlights
There is growing evidence for a positive correlation between measures of muscular strength and cognitive abilities
Participants and study design Thirty-nine healthy right-handed, young adults [13 female/26 male; age 24.0 ± 3.1 years; body height 174.4 ± 9.2 cm; body mass 72.7 ± 14.2 kg; body mass index (BMI) 23.7 ± 3.3 kg/m2] with normal or corrected vision who had no history of self-reported orthopaedic, cardiovascular, psychiatric, and/or neurological diseases participated in this study
Regarding Path A, we found that left absolute handgrip strength (AHS) significantly predict [β = 0.001 (0.000); z (39) = 2.189; p = 0.029] the amplitude of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb) in Channel 2 and that left AHS significantly predict [β = 0.000 (0.000); z (38) = − 2.180; p = 0.029] the amplitude of deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxyHb) in Channel 7, the beta coefficient are very small
Summary
There is growing evidence for a positive correlation between measures of muscular strength and cognitive abilities. Recent reviews provide evidence that the preservation of muscular strength (e.g., due to regular resistance training) is beneficial to maintain brain health and cognitive functioning [1,2,3,4]. In this context, handgrip strength has been considered an important marker of health in general [5,6,7,8] and of brain health in particular [9,10,11]. Based on the low number of available studies incorporating those age groups, additional, arguably more critical investigations, are required before strong conclusions can be drawn with certainty
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