Abstract
While endurance exercise training improves cerebrovascular health and has neurotrophic effects within the hippocampus, the effects of stopping this exercise on the brain remain unclear. Our aim was to measure the effects of 10 days of detraining on resting cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in gray matter and the hippocampus in healthy and physically fit older adults. We hypothesized that rCBF would decrease in the hippocampus after a 10-day cessation of exercise training. Twelve master athletes, defined as older adults (age ≥ 50 years) with long-term endurance training histories (≥15 years), were recruited from local running clubs. After screening, eligible participants were asked to cease all training and vigorous physical activity for 10 consecutive days. Before and immediately after the exercise cessation period, rCBF was measured with perfusion-weighted MRI. A voxel-wise analysis was used in gray matter, and the hippocampus was selected a priori as a structurally defined region of interest (ROI), to detect rCBF changes over time. Resting CBF significantly decreased in eight gray matter brain regions. These regions included: (L) inferior temporal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, (R) cerebellar tonsil, lingual gyrus, precuneus, and bilateral cerebellum (FWE p < 0.05). Additionally, rCBF within the left and right hippocampus significantly decreased after 10 days of no exercise training. These findings suggest that the cerebrovascular system, including the regulation of resting hippocampal blood flow, is responsive to short-term decreases in exercise training among master athletes. Cessation of exercise training among physically fit individuals may provide a novel method to assess the effects of acute exercise and exercise training on brain function in older adults.
Highlights
Endurance exercise training produces physiological adaptations that enhance aerobic fitness and cardiovascular health (Brooks et al, 1996)
We examined the relationship between short-term exercise cessation and resting resting cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in master athletes
Exercise cessation was associated with reduced rCBF within eight gray matter regions, including bilateral regions of the hippocampus
Summary
Endurance exercise training (exercise) produces physiological adaptations that enhance aerobic fitness and cardiovascular health (Brooks et al, 1996). In addition to enhancing the function of the CBF after Exercise Cessation in Master Athletes cardiovascular system, exercise has been shown to increase bone density, improve muscle quality, and protect against metabolic dysfunction (Brooks et al, 1996). When the exercise stimulus is removed many of these systemic adaptations rapidly dissipate (Mujika and Padilla, 2000a, 2001a,b), thereby increasing the potential for adverse health effects. 20 days of bed rest immobilization resulted in a substantial 28% decrease in V O2max (Saltin et al, 1968); a prolonged detraining period reduced muscle fiber capillarization and oxidative enzyme activity (Klausen et al, 1981); and a 10-day period of physical inactivity was related to the development of impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance (Rogers et al, 1990)
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