Abstract
Aerobic exercise has both neuroprotective and neurorehabilitative benefits. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood and need to be investigated, especially in postmenopausal women, who are at increased risk of age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. To advance our understanding of the potential neurological benefits of aerobic exercise in aging women, we examined anatomical and functional responses that may differentiate women of varying cardiorespiratory fitness using neuroimaging and neurophysiology. A total of 35 healthy postmenopausal women were recruited (59 ± 3 years) and cardiorespiratory fitness estimated (22–70 mL/kg/min). Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to assess -aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) receptor function in the primary motor cortex (M1), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to quantify GABA and Glu concentrations in M1. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess mean cortical thickness (MCT) of sensorimotor and frontal regions, while the microstructure of sensorimotor and other white matter tracts was evaluated through diffusion tensor imaging. Regression analysis revealed that higher fitness levels were associated with improved microstructure in pre-motor and sensory tracts, and the hippocampal cingulum. Fitness level was not associated with MCT, MRS, or neurophysiology measures. These data indicate that, in postmenopausal women, higher cardiorespiratory fitness is linked with preserved selective white matter microstructure, particularly in areas that influence sensorimotor control and memory.
Highlights
Physical activity is associated with improved health and longevity and reduced risk of chronic disease (Warburton and Bredin, 2016)
Both samples had values across a range of fitness levels and within normative values based on the Astrand-Ryhming test in females between the ages of 50–65 years (Astrand, 1960)
VO2max, maximal oxygen consumption; VO2maxADJ, maximal oxygen consumption adjusted for fat-free body mass; IPAQ, International Physical Activity Questionnaire; %BF, percent body fat; education, full time in years including primary and secondary school; MOCA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment was scored out of 30 possible points
Summary
Physical activity is associated with improved health and longevity and reduced risk of chronic disease (Warburton and Bredin, 2016). Research exploring the role of exercise in brain health of postmenopausal women has shown that higher cardiorespiratory fitness correlates with better performance on cognitive assessments (Yaffe et al, 2001; Weuve et al, 2004; Erickson et al, 2007; Brown et al, 2010; Albinet et al, 2014; Dupuy et al, 2015), in addition to greater pre-frontal cortex (PFC) activation during tasks probing executive function (Albinet et al, 2014; Dupuy et al, 2015) These fitness-related effects may be related to structural changes in the brain. Evidence of lower resting mean arterial pressure and greater cerebrovascular conductance in the carotid arteries of fit older women (Brown et al, 2010) is suggestive of improved brain blood flow
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