Physiological And Cognitive Adaptations To 8 Weeks Of Training On A Movement-based Video Game

Abstract

Cognitive and physical training are two approaches that successfully enhance deficient cognitive control abilities. A synergistic effect may be attainable through the combination of each training approach. PURPOSE: Assess physiological and cognitive adaptations from 8-weeks of training on a novel video game (Body-Brain Trainer “BBT”) combining both cognitive and physical training in a proportional fashion. Positive adaptations in each domain were expected to be greater as compared to an expectancy-matched placebo control group. METHODS: At the halfway mark of this study, ten lightly active young participants (24.2 +/- 1.62 yrs) completed 8 weeks of training (24 sessions total) on BBT, a video game comprised of nine 4-minute game play sessions. An age-matched (24.75 +/- 3.64 yrs) placebo group (n=16) trained on a non-physical video game. Physical task difficulty adapted during game play based on real-time heart rate measurements and titrated participants to 70-80% of VO2 max. Cognitive task difficulty was adaptive, based on cognitive performance metrics. Physiological assessments performed at baseline and follow-up included BMI, resting blood pressure, body composition, vertical jump, Hexagon Agility Test, and VO2 max. Cognitive assessments performed included behavioral and neural measures of working memory, sustained attention, and goal management. RESULTS: Preliminary findings revealed a significant improvement in systolic blood pressure in the BBT group (108.33 + 8.17 mmHg, p=.001) compared to placebo (114.31 + 7.39 mmHg, p=.774). Vertical jump also showed a significant improvement in the BBT group (15.25 + 2.64 inches, p=.003). VO2 max showed no improvement in either group, but BBT participants were in their prescribed heart rate zone for only 35% of training sessions. 80% of BBT participants showed an improvement in working memory abilities as compared to 62.5% in Placebo, although to date no significant group differences exist. CONCLUSIONS: This novel video game proportionally integrating both exercise and cognitive challenges revealed potential improvements in both cognitive and physiological measures. Future endeavors include doubling the number of participants as well as the enrollment of control groups to assess training either on a “Brain-only” or “Body-only” version of BBT.