Executive Function Performance And Cortical Activation When Cycling On An Active Workstation In Young Adults

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggested that exercise on an active workstation while working may be a promising intervention strategy for reducing sedentary time at workplace. The influence of active workstation on cognitive function are not well studied and the existing studies yielded mixed findings. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of cycling on an active workstation on executive function and cortical activation in young adults. METHODS: In a cross-over study design, 35 young adults (mean age = 21.4 ± 2.6 years, 45.7% females) were randomly assigned the following two task conditions separated by 48 hours: performing cognitive tests while sitting (SIT) and performing cognitive tests while self-paced cycling on an active workstation (ACTIVE). Executive function was assessed by a task-switching paradigm and Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) programed using E-Prime 2 professional (Psychology Software Tools, Inc., Sharpsburg, PA, USA), respectively. Global switch costs, local switch costs and Stroop effects were derived and used as the behavioral outcomes of the two tasks. Cortical activation during the two conditions was monitored using a 38-channel fNIRS (NIRx Medical Technologies LLC, USA). RESULTS: There were no significant differences on Stroop effects (136.25 ± 125.67 vs. 101.61 ± 137.10, p = 0.19) between SIT and ACTIVE conditions. The global switch costs (463.19 ± 206.86 vs. 452.77 ± 167.05, p = 0.73) and local switch costs (-6.14 ± 147.22 vs. 9.97 ± 156.08, p = 0.70) also did not differ. For the fNIRS results, ACTIVE condition led to greater cortical activity in left-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (left-DLPFC) related to Stroop effects (0.88 ± 17.75 vs. 13.85 ± 19.44 a.u, p = 0.02). For the task switch test, there were no significant differences in cortical activation between SIT and ACTIVE conditions. CONCLUSION: The results suggests that the performances on Stroop task and task-switching were not impaired by self-paced cycling on a workstation. Importantly, cycling led to greater recruitment of sub-region of prefrontal cortex indicated by a greater cortical activation related to Stroop effects in the left-DLPFC.