Effect Of Aerobic Physical Activity Research Articles

Overweight/Obesity-related microstructural alterations of the fimbria-fornix in the ABCD study: The role of aerobic physical activity.

Childhood overweight/obesity has been associated with negative consequences related to brain function and may involve alterations in white matter pathways important for cognitive and emotional processing. Aerobic physical activity is a promising lifestyle factor that could restore white matter alterations. However, little is known about either regional white matter alterations in children with overweight/obesity or the effects of aerobic physical activity targeting the obesity-related brain alterations in children. Using a large-scale cross-sectional population-based dataset of US children aged 9 to 10 years (n = 8019), this study explored the associations between overweight/obesity and microstructure of limbic white matter tracts, and examined whether aerobic physical activity may reduce the overweight/obesity-related white matter alterations in children. The primary outcome measure was restriction spectrum imaging (RSI)-derived white matter microstructural integrity measures. The number of days in a week that children engaged in aerobic physical activity for at least 60 minutes per day was assessed. We found that females with overweight/obesity had lower measures of integrity of the fimbria-fornix, a major limbic-hippocampal white matter tract, than their lean peers, while this difference was not significant in males. We also found a positive relationship between the number of days of aerobic physical activity completed in a week and integrity measures of the fimbria-fornix in females with overweight/obesity. Our results provide cross-sectional evidence of sex-specific microstructural alteration in the fimbria-fornix in children with overweight/obesity and suggest that aerobic physical activity may play a role in reducing this alteration. Future work should examine the causal direction of the relationship between childhood overweight/obesity and brain alterations and evaluate potential interventions to validate the effects of aerobic physical activity on this relationship.

Protocol for Exploring the Role of Irisin in the Enhancement of Spatial Learning Mediated by Aerobic Physical Exercise in Adult Mice

Introduction: Age-related cognitive decline decreases with aerobic physical exercise in many animal models and humans. Irisin, a myokine and its’ precursor FNDC5, has increased hippocampal development to improve learning and memory. This study aims to determine the association between irisin, physical activity and enhancement of spatial learning in adult mice. Methods: Three experimental studies will be conducted to explore the role of FNDC5/irisin in spatial learning. Study 1 will test the spatial learning ability in C57BL/6 mice using Morris Water Maze (MWM) task in WT, FNDC5+/- and FNDC5-/- mice strains. Study 2 will test the changes in the MWM task due to exogenous administration of FNDC5/irisin in the hippocampus, specifically in the dentate gyrus region. Study 3 aims to test the effect of aerobic physical activity on irisin levels in the dentate gyrus region and the changes in the MWM task. Anticipated Results: Study 1 results are expected to show that WT mice perform better compared to the FNDC5+/- and FNDC5-/- in completing the MWM task. Study 2 is anticipated to show that hippocampal administration of FNDC5/irisin can rescue the spatial learning phenotype. Study 3 is expected to show that PE improves spatial learning in all mice strains by regulating FNDC5/irisin levels. Discussion: FNDC5/irisin play a role in enhancing neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity by regulating downstream signalling pathways that are involved in cognitive functions. Aerobic PE enhances this mechanism, resulting in improved spatial learning. Conclusion: Aerobic PE is expected to significantly regulates hippocampal FNDC5/irisin, which is associated with enhancing spatial learning and cognitive functions.

Effects of adding aerobic physical activity to strengthening exercise on hip osteoarthritis symptoms: protocol for the PHOENIX randomised controlled trial

BackgroundHip osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of musculoskeletal pain. Exercise is a core recommended treatment. Most evidence is based on muscle-strengthening exercise, but aerobic physical activity has potential to enhance clinical benefits. The primary aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that adding aerobic physical activity to a muscle strengthening exercise leads to significantly greater reduction in hip pain and improvements in physical function, compared to a lower-limb muscle strengthening exercise program alone at 3 months.MethodsThis is a superiority, 2-group, parallel randomised controlled trial including 196 people with symptomatic hip OA from the community. Following baseline assessment, participants are randomly allocated to receive either i) aerobic physical activity and muscle strengthening exercise or; ii) muscle strengthening exercise only. Participants in both groups receive 9 consultations with a physiotherapist over 3 months. Both groups receive a progressive muscle strengthening exercise program in addition to advice about OA management. The aerobic physical activity plan includes a prescription of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity with a goal of attaining 150 min per week. Primary outcomes are self-reported hip pain assessed on an 11-point numeric rating scale (0 = ‘no pain’ and 10 = ‘worst pain possible’) and self-reported physical function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index physical function subscale) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes include other measures of self-reported pain (assessed at 0, 3, 9 months), self-reported physical function (assessed at 0, 3, 9 months), performance-based physical function (assessed at 0, 3 months), joint stiffness (assessed at 0, 3, 9 months), quality of life (assessed at 0, 3, 9 months), muscle strength (assessed at 0, 3 months), and cardiorespiratory fitness (assessed at 0, 3 months). Other measures include adverse events, co-interventions, and adherence. Measures of body composition, serum inflammatory biomarkers, quantitative sensory measures, anxiety, depression, fear of movement and self-efficacy are included to explore causal mechanisms.DiscussionFindings will assist to provide an evidence-based recommendation regarding the additional effect of aerobic physical activity to lower-limb muscle strengthening on hip OA pain and physical function.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry reference: ACTRN 12619001297112. Registered 20th September 2019.

An Improved Method for Individual Tracking of Voluntary Wheel Running in Pair-housed Juvenile Mice.

Rodent cages equipped with access to a voluntary running wheel are commonly used to study the effects of aerobic physical activity on physiology and behavior. Notable discoveries in exercise neurobiology, including the key role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in neural plasticity and cognition, have been made using rodents housed with voluntary running wheels. A major advantage of using home-cage running wheels over treadmills is the elimination of stress potentially associated with forced running. In addition, voluntary wheel running may simulate a more natural running pattern in laboratory mice. Singly housing mice with voluntary running wheels is traditionally employed to obtain exact quantitation of the distance ran; however, social isolation stress is often ignored to obtain precise running distances. Moreover, voluntary exercise studies in adolescent mice must consider the neurodevelopmental implications of isolation stress. In this protocol, we wean 21-day-old mouse pups directly into running wheel-equipped cages and pair-house them to reduce the impact of social isolation and other developmentally specific factors that could adversely affect their behavior or development. Individual running distances are obtained from each mouse in the cage using a radio-frequency identification (RFID) ear tag and a hidden antenna placed directly under the running wheel. We have demonstrated that voluntary running during a specific juvenile-adolescent developmental period can improve hippocampal memory when tested during adolescence ( Ivy et al., 2020 ). Individual exercise tracking of group-housed mice can enable future studies to precisely correlate the amount of exercise with readouts such as cell-specific gene expression, epigenetic mechanisms, serum biomarkers, and behavior, in an intra-individual manner. Graphic abstract: Figure 1.Illustration of the dual RFID and Vital View system for individual mouse running in a pair-housed cage.

Effects of aerobic physical activity to cardio-respiratory fitness of the elderly population: systematic overview

Background and Study Aim. Aerobic training is effective manner of exercising aimed at improving cardio-respiratory fitness of young people. However, its effects to the elderly population (over the age of 60), depending on characteristics of the participant (gender, health status, lifestyle, etc.), is still unclear. Aim of this research is systematic overview of the available literature dealing with the topic of effects of aerobic training to cardio-respiratory fitness of the elderly population over the age of 60, depending of gender (male/female), BMI (overweight/normal weight), lifestyle (active/sedentary), health status (diabetes/hypertension/metabolic syndrome).
 Material and methods: Total number of papers with published research results which met the criteria was 32. Walking is effective manner of exercising which influences improvement of maximum oxygen consumption (mean value: ±SD:12.91±7.40%). Introduction of activities with greater impact (bicycle and jogging) provides more effect to the cardio-respiratory fitness (mean value: ±SD:14.28±7.48%).
 Results: Aerobic training intensity level (moderate vs. high) makes no significant difference to the adaptive response of the cardio-respiratory fitness in elderly population. Training in duration of 6 weeks may significantly influence increase in maximum oxygen consumption, but longer training duration, however, has better effect. Endurance training has similar effects to improvement of cardio-respiratory fitness in both men and women. On the other hand, it seems that active people have lower adaptive response in comparison to sedentary people (8.3% vs. 18.84%). Effect is similar between overweight and normal weight participants (18.48% vs. 8.6%). Positive influence of aerobic training was also observed in participants with hypertension, metabolic system and diabetes type 2.
 Conclusion: Results clearly suggest benefits of aerobic training on cardio-respiratory fitness of elderly population. The effect may, however, vary depending of duration, type of activity, as well as characteristics of the sample.

The Independent and Combined Effects of Aerobic Physical Activity and Muscular Strengthening Activity on All-Cause Mortality: An Analysis of Effect Modification by Race-Ethnicity.

The effects of aerobic physical activity (PA) and muscular strengthening activity (MSA) on all-cause mortality risk need further exploration among ethnically diverse populations. To examine potential effect modification of race-ethnicity on meeting the PA guidelines and on all-cause mortality. The study sample (N = 14,384) included adults (20-79 y of age) from the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. PA was categorized into 6 categories based on the 2018 PA guidelines: category 1 (inactive), category 2 (insufficient PA and no MSA), category 3 (active and no MSA), category 4 (no PA and sufficient MSA), category 5 (insufficient PA and sufficient MSA), and category 6 (meeting both recommendations). Race-ethnic groups examined included non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Mexican American. Cox-proportional hazard models were used. Significant risk reductions were found for categories 2, 3, and 6 for non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black. Among Mexican American, significant risk reductions were found in category 6. In support of the 2018 PA guidelines, meeting both the aerobic PA and MSA guidelines significantly reduced risk for all-cause mortality independent of race-ethnicity. The effects of aerobic PA alone seem to be isolated to non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black.

The Effect of Physical Activity on cTNI, Visceral Fat, and Plasma Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Risk in Shift Workers of Sarir Plast Industrial Group

Background: Shift work can be considered a cause of health problems and a risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic physical activity on cTNI, visceral fat and plasma biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk among shift workers of Sarir Plast Industrial Group. Methods: The present research is a semi-experimental research that was carried out on the shift workers of the Sarir Plast Industrial Group. Thirty workers, with an average of 5 years of shift work history, were selected through judgmental sampling technique and were then randomly assigned to the two groups of aerobic physical activity (n = 15) and control group (n = 15). Based on the schedule, the experimental group performed 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week with 50% - 70% THR intensity. Both before and immediately after the plan, the activity, height, BW, VF, cTNI, TC, TG, HDL, LDL, vLDL and VO2, max were measured. For data analysis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Levene’s test, Mbox-test, and ANCOVA were employed (P < 0.05). Results: The BW, VF, TC, TG, and LDL significantly decreased in the post-test for the experimental group, while the value of HDL and VO2, max increased. However, cTNI and vLDL did not change significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Aerobic physical activity was effective in reducing the risk factors of CVD in shift workers. It appeared that aerobic physical activity could be used as a non-pharmacological approach to prevent CVD in shift workers.

The Effect of Aerobic Physical Activity in Adrenaline Level in White Laboratory Rats.

Introduction:Physical activity is one important factor in the nervous system of animals, it may affect the structure also the function of the brain. Regular aerobic exercises have a good effect on the whole body and thus improves the sense of well-being. Aim:The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of aerobic physical activity in white laboratory rats for 21 days. Methods:The experimental animals used were twenty Wistar rats, divided into 2 groups of 10 animals they were subjected to forced swim test for 21 days for 60-90 min swim. The evaluation of levels of Adrenaline was performed on 1st, 7th, 14th day and on the last day of the experiment day 21 using ELISA kit protocol, also body mass was compared between groups. Results:Our results showed that inducing aerobic physical activity for 21 days on the rats affects their levels of adrenaline. Comparatively, the control group of rats had significantly higher levels of adrenalin compared with day 21 (p=0.435) but lower compared with day 7 and 14 (p=0.231). There was also a difference in body mass which demonstrates adaptability to the surroundings and better coping with physical stress. Conclusion:Regular aerobic activity for 21 days, for 60-90 min swim has a positive impact on adrenaline level also this aerobic exercise protocol could have a positive impact on reducing and maintaining body weight, thus preventing overweight.

Effect of Aerobic Physical Activity on Health-Related Quality of Life in Middle Aged Women with Osteoarthritis: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2017).

Background: There have been few studies reporting the association between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and osteoarthritis (OA) in female subjects performing aerobic exercise or not. The aim of this study is to compare HRQoL between OA patients and non-OA subjects in middle aged Korean women (40–59 years) with/without aerobic physical activity, and also to identify an association between EQ-5D instrument based HRQoL and OA controlling for aerobic exercise. Methods: This study used the cross-sectional data, the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNANES) from 2016 to 2017. We only selected those who had completed the evaluations of aerobic physical activity and osteoarthritis diagnosis. In total, 2445 middle aged women were finally selected for this study. The European quality of life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) was used for the evaluation of HRQoL as a dependent variable. In socio-demographic factors, age, sex, income level, education level, marital status, economic activity, type of insurance and private insurance and behaviour-related factors were included. One-way analysis of variance was conducted to compare the EQ-5D index and multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify associated factors with the EQ-5D index. Results: In total, 2445 middle aged women were included in this study, in which 2209 participants were normal (90.0%) with aerobic physical activity (no: 55.0%, yes: 45.0%) and 246 participants were diagnosed with osteoarthritis (10.0%) with aerobic physical activity (no: 56.1%, yes: 43.9%). In group 2-2 (OA with aerobic), the moderate level of muscle exercise (less than 5 days per week) showed the highest HRQoL (p < 0.05) and high level exercise showed the lowest HRQoL (p < 0.05). In menopause status, the participants under menopause status showed lower HRQoL (p < 0.05) than those not under menopause status in group 2-2 (OA with aerobic) only. Conclusions: The HRQoL of OA patients was significantly lower than that of normal participants in middle aged Korean women (40–59 years). Especially, OA patients with maintained aerobic physical activity showed significantly higher HRQoL than those without that under controlling covariates such as age, income level, education level, marital status, economic activity, type of insurance, etc.

Physical activity and health-related quality of life in adults: The “Pas a Pas” community intervention programme

Physical activity is associated with improved mental health and well-being, both factors closely linked to health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Studies that analyse the effect of aerobic physical activity on HRQoL have shown inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness a supervised aerobic physical activity programme consisted on walking groups and including socio-cultural activities on HRQoL in adult who attend primary care centres. We conducted a randomized clinical trial with controlled group, which consisted of a 9-month intervention comprising 120 min of supervised group walking per week and socio-cultural activities. Socio-demographic characteristics, diagnoses of chronic diseases, BMI (kg/m2) and self-esteem score (Rosenberg Scale) were recorded. Physical activity (IPAQ-s) and HRQoL (SF-36) were assessed at baseline and post-intervention and multivariate models adjusted for potential confounders were applied. A total of 440 patients were recruited; 419 met the inclusion criteria and were individually randomized to either the control (n = 114) or intervention groups (n = 305). Results from post-intervention showed that total physical activity significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (+832.7 vs −162.1 MET/min/week, respectively). In women, the intervention had a positive effect significantly on the following HRQoL items: Physical Functioning (+10.19 points), Bodily Pain (+7.32 points), General Health (+2.53 points) and Mental Health (+5.65 points). No significant effects were observed in men. Participation in the physical activity intervention programme including socio-cultural activities improved HRQoL in women who attend primary-health care centres.

Modulatory Effect of Aerobic Physical Activity on Synaptic Ultrastructure in the Old Mouse Hippocampus.

Aerobic physical exercise (APE) leads to improved brain functions. To better understand the beneficial effect of APE on the aging brain, a morphometric study was carried out of changes in hippocampal synapses of old (>27 months) Balb/c mice undergoing treadmill training (OTT) for 4 weeks in comparison with old sedentary (OS), middle-aged sedentary (MAS) and middle-aged treadmill training (MATT) mice. The inner molecular layer of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (IMLDG) and the molecular stratum of Ammon’s horn1 neurons (SMCA1) were investigated. The number of synapses per cubic micron of tissue (numeric density, Nv), overall synaptic area per cubic micron of tissue (surface density, Sv), average area of synaptic contact zones (S), and frequency (%) of perforated synapses (PS) were measured in electron micrographs of ethanol-phosphotungstic acid (E-PTA) stained tissue. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA). In IMLDG, an effect of age was found for Nv and Sv, but not S and %PS. Similar results were found for exercise and the interaction of age and exercise. In post hoc analysis Nv was higher (60.6% to 75.1%; p < 0.001) in MATT vs. MAS, OS and OTT. Sv was higher (32.3% to 54.6%; p < 0.001) in MATT vs. MAS, OS and OTT. In SMCA1, age affected Nv, Sv and %PS, but not S. The effect of exercise was significant for Sv only. The interaction of age and exercise was significant for Nv, Sv and %PS. In post hoc analysis Nv was lower in OS vs. MAS, MATT and OTT (−26.1% to −32.1%; p < 0.038). MAS and OTT were similar. Sv was lower in OS vs. MAS, MATT and OTT (−23.4 to −30.3%, p < 0.004). MAS and OTT were similar. PS frequency was higher in OS vs. MAS, MATT and OTT (48.3% to +96.6%, p < 0.023). APE positively modulated synaptic structural dynamics in the aging hippocampus, possibly in a region-specific way. The APE-associated reduction in PS frequency in SMCA1 of old mice suggests that an increasing complement of PS is a compensatory phenomenon to maintain synaptic efficacy. In conclusion, the modulation of synaptic plasticity by APE gives quantitative support to the concept that APE protects from neurodegeneration and improves learning and memory in aging.

Protective Effect of Aerobic Physical Activity on Sleep Behavior in Breast Cancer Survivors.

Hypotheses. Sleep disorders are associated with an increased risk of cancer, including breast cancer (BC). Physical activity (PA) can produce beneficial effects on sleep. Study design. We designed a randomized controlled trial to test the effect of 3 months of physical activity on sleep and circadian rhythm activity level evaluated by actigraphy. Methods. 40 BC women, aged 35-70 years, were randomized into an intervention (IG) and a control group (CG). IG performed a 3 month of aerobic exercise. At baseline and after 3 months, the following parameters were evaluated both for IG and CG: anthropometric and body composition measurements, energy expenditure and motion level; sleep parameters (Actual Sleep Time-AST, Actual Wake Time-AWT, Sleep Efficiency-SE, Sleep Latency-SL, Mean Activity Score-MAS, Movement and Fragmentation Index-MFI and Immobility Time-IT) and activity level circadian rhythm using the Actigraph Actiwatch. Results. The CG showed a deterioration of sleep, whereas the IG showed a stable pattern. In the CG the SE, AST and IT decreased and the AWT, SL, MAS and MFI increased. In the IG, the SE, IT, AWT, SL, and MAS showed no changes and AST and MFI showed a less pronounced change in the IG than in the CG. The rhythmometric analysis revealed a significant circadian rhythm in two groups. After 3 months of PA, IG showed reduced fat mass %, while CG had improved weight and BMI. Conclusion. Physical activity may be beneficial against sleep disruption. Indeed, PA prevented sleep worsening in IG. PA can represent an integrative intervention therapy able to modify sleep behaviour.

Actigraphy-based activity levels and anthropometric measurements in breast cancer survivors: effects of aerobic physical activity

The research investments for the identification of modifiable factors associated with BC recurrences is increasing. Adiposity and other anthropometric indices have been acknowledged as factors involved in BC recurrences and mortality (1). Physical activity (PA) has the potential to counterbalance all of these risk factors (2). We designed a randomized controlled trial to test the effect of an aerobic PA program on anthropometric indices of adiposity and circadian rhythm activity level, evaluated by actigraphy, in BC women included in a dietary intervention trial for prevention of BC recurrences. 40 BC women, aged 35-70 years, were randomized into an intervention (IG=19) and a control group (CG=21). The IG participated in a 3-month active PA program that included two sessions of one-hour brisk walking per week. At baseline and after 3 months, both IG and CG were evaluated for the following parameters: height, weight, BMI, waist circumferences, % fat mass, % lean mass; energy expenditure and motion level (Total Energy Expenditure-TEE, number of steps, PA level, Metabolic Equivalents-METs) using a SenseWear Pro 3 Armband; and activity level circadian rhythm using the Actigraph Actiwatch. At the end of the 3-month PA program, IG showed a significant reduction in fat mass % while CG improved weight and BMI. The population mean cosinor applied to IG and CG at PRE and POST revealed the presence of a significant circadian rhythm in two groups (p<0.001). MESOR, Amplitude and Acrophase were not different in the two groups in pretest conditions. Amplitude decreased significantly between PRE and POST (F(1,38)=6.4, p=0.02). MESOR and acrophase remained unchanged. Our results suggest that a standardized PA program in BC survivors reduces anthropometric indices of adiposity and may represent an integrative intervention therapy able to modify behaviour.

Anthropometric indices of adiposity and fasting glucose metabolism in breast cancer survivors: effects of aerobic physical activity

Adiposity and hypersinsulinemia are factors involved in cancer mortality including BC (1). Physical activity (PA) has the potential to counterbalance these risk factors. In fact, PA has been shown to produce beneficial effects on adiposity and glucose metabolism (2). We thus designed a randomized controlled trial to test the effect of an aerobic PA program on anthropometric indices of adiposity and fasting glucose metabolism in BC women included in a dietary intervention trial for prevention of BC recurrences. 42 BC women, aged 35-70 years, were randomized into an intervention (IG=19) and control group (CG=23). The IG had to participate in a 3-month active PA program that included two sessions of one-hour brisk walking per week. At baseline and after 3-month, all women were requested to undergo an anthropometric visit and to collect a blood sample for determination of fasting insulin and glucose levels. At the end of the 3-month PA a significant reduction in waist circumference (p<0.05) and percentage fat mass (p<0.01) were observed in IG, but not in CG. In addition, only IG increased significantly their Metabolic Equivalent of Task (METs) (p<0.05). Although fasting glucose and insulin levels don’t show any significant change in either group, it is nevertheless encouraging that the two groups displayed an opposite trend as far as the changes in fasting insulin were concerned: fasting insulin shows a mean reduction (-0.9 U//ml) in the IG group and a mean increment in the CG (+0.7 U/ml). The results suggest that a standardized PA program in BC survivors reduces anthropometric indices of adiposity and may prove useful in preventing the development of hyperinsulinemic levels.

Aerobic exercise to improve cognitive function in older people without known cognitive impairment.

There is increasing evidence that physical activity supports healthy ageing. Exercise is helpful for cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems, among others. Aerobic activity, in particular, improves cardiovascular fitness and, based on recently reported findings, may also have beneficial effects on cognition among older people. To assess the effect of aerobic physical activity, aimed at improving cardiorespiratory fitness, on cognitive function in older people without known cognitive impairment. We searched ALOIS - the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's Specialized Register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL) (all years to Issue 2 of 4, 2013), MEDLINE (Ovid SP 1946 to August 2013), EMBASE (Ovid SP 1974 to August 2013), PEDro, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, PsycINFO (Ovid SP 1806 to August 2013), CINAHL (all dates to August 2013), LILACS (all dates to August 2013), World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (http://apps.who.int/trialsearch), ClinicalTrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov) and Dissertation Abstracts International (DAI) up to 24 August 2013, with no language restrictions. We included all published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effect on cognitive function of aerobic physical activity programmes with any other active intervention, or no intervention, in cognitively healthy participants aged over 55 years. Two review authors independently extracted the data from included trials. We grouped cognitive outcome measures into eleven categories covering attention, memory, perception, executive functions, cognitive inhibition, cognitive speed and motor function. We used the mean difference (or standardised mean difference) between groups as the measure of the treatment effect and synthesised data using a random-effects model. We conducted separate analyses to compare aerobic exercise interventions with no intervention and with other exercise, social or cognitive interventions. Also, we performed analyses including only trials in which an increase in the cardiovascular fitness of participants had been demonstrated. Twelve trials including 754 participants met our inclusion criteria. Trials were from eight to 26 weeks in duration.We judged all trials to be at moderate or high risk of bias in at least some domains. Reporting of some risk of bias domains was poor.Our analyses comparing aerobic exercise to any active intervention showed no evidence of benefit from aerobic exercise in any cognitive domain. This was also true of our analyses comparing aerobic exercise to no intervention. Analysing only the subgroup of trials in which cardiorespiratory fitness improved in the aerobic exercise group showed that this improvement did not coincide with improvements in any cognitive domains assessed. Our subgroup analyses of aerobic exercise versus flexibility or balance interventions also showed no benefit of aerobic exercise in any cognitive domain.Dropout rates did not differ between aerobic exercise and control groups. No trial reported on adverse effects.Overall none of our analyses showed a cognitive benefit from aerobic exercise even when the intervention was shown to lead to improved cardiorespiratory fitness. We found no evidence in the available data from RCTs that aerobic physical activities, including those which successfully improve cardiorespiratory fitness, have any cognitive benefit in cognitively healthy older adults. Larger studies examining possible moderators are needed to confirm whether or not aerobic training improves cognition.

A randomized trial examining the effects of aerobic physical activity on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in young children.

The goal of this study was to compare the effects of before school physical activity (PA) and sedentary classroom-based (SC) interventions on the symptoms, behavior, moodiness, and peer functioning of young children (M age = 6.83) at risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD-risk; n = 94) and typically developing children (TD; n = 108). Children were randomly assigned to either PA or SC and participated in the assigned intervention 31min per day, each school day, over the course of 12weeks. Parent and teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms (inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity), oppositional behavior, moodiness, behavior toward peers, and reputation with peers, were used as dependent variables. Primary analyses indicate that the PA intervention was more effective than the SC intervention at reducing inattention and moodiness in the home context. Less conservative follow-up analyses within ADHD status and intervention groups suggest that a PA intervention may reduce impairment associated with ADHD-risk in both home and school domains; interpretive caution is warranted, however, given the liberal approach to these analyses. Unexpectedly, these findings also indicate the potential utility of a before school SC intervention as a tool for managing ADHD symptoms. Inclusion of a no treatment control group in future studies will enable further understanding of PA as an alternative management strategy for ADHD symptoms.

Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Cognition, Academic Achievement, and Psychosocial Function in Children: A Systematic Review of Randomized Control Trials

IntroductionAlthough the effects of aerobic physical activity (APA) on children’s physical health is well characterized, the effect of aerobic physical activity on cognition, academic achievement, and psychosocial function has not yet been established. This systematic review provides an overview of research elucidating the relationship between aerobic physical activity and children’s cognition, academic achievement, and psychosocial function.MethodsA systematic review of English articles was performed in April 2013 using MEDLINE, Cochrane, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, and EMBASE. Additional studies were identified through back-searching bibliographies. Only randomized control trials with an intervention of aerobic physical activity in children younger than 19 years that measured psychological, behavioral, cognitive, or academic outcomes were included.ResultsWe found 8 relevant randomized control trials that met our inclusion criteria and extracted relevant data and evaluated the methodologic quality of the studies. Of the 8 studies identified, 2 studies were crossover randomized control trials studying the effects of acute aerobic physical activity on cognitive performance. Six studies were parallel-group randomized control studies, of which only 2 had a follow-up period of longer than 6 months. All studies showed that APA had a generally positive impact on children’s cognition and psychosocial function. However, this relationship was found to be minimal in many studies and in some measures, no significant improvement was seen at all. There was no documentation of APA having any negative impact on children’s cognition and psychosocial health, even in cases where school curriculum time was reassigned from classroom teaching to aerobic physical activity.ConclusionAPA is positively associated with cognition, academic achievement, behavior, and psychosocial functioning outcomes. More rigorous trials with adequate sample sizes assessing the impact of APA on children’s cognitive abilities, psychosocial functioning, behavior, and academic achievement are needed, with standardized interventions, valid and reliable tools of measurement, and long-term follow-up for sustained cognitive and psychosocial outcomes.

Protective and therapeutic effects of swimming exercise training on diabetic peripheral neuropathy of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a typical complication of diabetes. No definitive treatment and prevention of DPN has been established, and very few data on the role of exercise training on DPN have been reported. The protective and therapeutic effects of aerobic physical activity on the development of DPN in Type 1 were investigated. Rats were assigned to 5 groups: C (control), E (exercise), D (diabetic), DEx (exercise after diabetic), ExD (diabetic after exercise); C containing 10 animals and E, D, DEx, ExD containing 15 animals. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ) (45 mg/kg, ip). Development of diabetes was confirmed by measuring blood glucose levels 2 days after STZ treatment. Body weights of all the animals were evaluated weekly throughout the experiment. Motor dysfunction defined by a significant increase in compound muscle action potential (CMAP) latency was recorded. The amplitude of CMAP which mainly reflects axonal dysfunction was also measured using standard techniques. Sciatic nerve morphometry and blood glucose levels were analyzed in all the groups. Blood glucose level significantly increased 2 days after STZ injection. All diabetic rats showed decreased body weight compared to control rats. An increase in motor latency of CMAP and a decrease in amplitude of CMAP, indicative of neuropathy, were seen in STZ rats. On the completion of the study (the 56th day post-STZ), histological examination revealed significant myelin loss (thinner myelin) in sciatic nerves of STZ rats. Treatment with swimming exercise had no effect on glycemic control but restored body weight, CMAP amplitude, CMAP latency or motor dysfunction in the diabetic animals. This study suggests that swimming exercise training has protective and therapeutic effects on DPN of STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Be smart, exercise your heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition

An emerging body of multidisciplinary literature has documented the beneficial influence of physical activity engendered through aerobic exercise on selective aspects of brain function. Human and non-human animal studies have shown that aerobic exercise can improve a number of aspects of cognition and performance. Lack of physical activity, particularly among children in the developed world, is one of the major causes of obesity. Exercise might not only help to improve their physical health, but might also improve their academic performance. This article examines the positive effects of aerobic physical activity on cognition and brain function, at the molecular, cellular, systems and behavioural levels. A growing number of studies support the idea that physical exercise is a lifestyle factor that might lead to increased physical and mental health throughout life.

Positive effects of aerobic physical activity in institutionalized older subjects complaining of dyspnea

Dyspnea is a common complaint in older subjects, but in some patients a disease responsible for this symptom is not found. We aimed to evaluate the effects of a short program of regular aerobic physical activity on dyspnea and ability to walk in a sample of older nursing home residents without evidence of cardiac and pulmonary disease. Limitation from dyspnea in daily activities was reported by 82% of residents; 34% of these individuals did not show any evidence of cardiac or pulmonary disease. In these subjects a 4-week period of daily exercise training compared with no intervention resulted in a significant improvement of dyspnea and endurance to walking. Dyspnea is an extremely common complaint in elderly residents in long-term facilities. About one-third of these subjects do not show evidence of cardiac or pulmonary disease. In these individuals a short period of exercise training has favorable effects on dyspnea and ability to walk.