Effect of Physical Activity onto Brain Cortical Activity is Exercise Preference and Intensity Dependent

Abstract

General effects of exercise on brain cortical functions have been shown before. Several studies opened an ongoing debate about exercise intensity and type depending changes onto brain cortical activity. Using standardized low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA), we were able to show different changes in frontal cortical activity following various exercise intensities (Schneider, Askew et al. 2009) and various kinds of exercise (Schneider, Bruemmer et al. 2009). PURPOSE: Within this study we aim to show that specific changes in brain cortical function, namely a decrease in frontal activity, are dependent on both, exercise intensity and exercise preferences. METHODS: Four kinds of exercise (treadmill, bicycle, arm crank ergometry and isokinetic force production) with two intensities each (50%+80% of VO2peak) were performed by 12 recreational runners. Before and 15min after exercising a 5min rest-EEG was recorded over 19 electrodes. EEG alpha and beta activity were localized using sLORETA. RESULTS: 50% exercise intensity lead to increases in EEG alpha (parietal and frontal lobe) and beta (limbic lobe) frequency ranges for all kinds of exercise. Following 80% exercise intensity treadmill running revealed decreased frontal alpha and beta activity. A slight decreased frontal activity was also found following 80% bike but not following 80% arm crank and isokinetic exercise, where alpha (frontal lobe) and beta (limbic lobe) activity was shown to be increased. CONCLUSIONS: In summary we could confirm earlier studies showing that the individuals preferred exercise is accompanied by a decrease of frontal lobe activity and we could show that moderate exercise intensity shows similar changes across all exercise types whereas an increase of intensity up to 80% results in more specific and complex changes. Supported by internal grant for graduates, German Sport University, Cologne.