Distinct cortical haemodynamics during squat-stand and continuous aerobic exercise do not influence the magnitude of a postexercise executive function benefit

Abstract

ABSTRACT A single bout of aerobic exercise benefits executive function (EF). A potential mechanism for this benefit is an exercise-mediated increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) that elicits vascular endothelial shear-stress improving EF efficiency. Moderate intensity continuous aerobic exercise (MCE) asymptotically increases CBF, whereas continuous body weight squat-stand exercise (SSE) provides a large amplitude oscillatory response. Some work has proposed that an increase in CBF oscillation amplitude provides the optimal shear-stress for improving EF and brain health. We examined whether a large amplitude oscillatory CBF response associated with a single bout of SSE imparts a larger postexercise EF benefit than an MCE cycle ergometer protocol. Exercise changes in middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) were measured via transcranial Doppler ultrasound to estimate CBF, and pre- and postexercise EF was assessed via the antisaccade task. MCE produced a steady state increase in MCAv, whereas SSE produced a large amplitude MCAv oscillation. Both conditions produced a postexercise EF benefit that null hypothesis and equivalence tests showed to be comparable in magnitude. Accordingly, we provide a first demonstration that a single bout of SSE benefits EF; however, the condition’s oscillatory CBF response does not impart a larger benefit than a time- and intensity-matched MCE protocol.