Higher Aerobic Fitness Research Articles

Lung volumes related to physical activity, physical fitness, aerobic capacity and body mass index in students

The aim of this study was to estimate the correlation between the function parameters of the respiratory system and the amount of physical activity, body mass index and aerobic and physical fitness in Daugavpils University students. The study involved a group of 191 students of both sexes from Daugavpils University aged 20–36 years.Students (n = 191, 123 females and 68 males, mean age 24.02 ± 0.24 years) underwent measurement of anthropometric values (height, weight), physical (PWC170 index) and aerobic fitness (predicted VO2max), spirometry (tidal volume, breathing frequency (BF), minute ventilation (MV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV) and vital capacity (VC) and filled in International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).Both MV and VC were directly and statistically significantly associated with aerobic fitness, physical fitness and amount of physical activity. Vigorous PA independently was directly and statistically significantly associated with physical fitness and aerobic fitness. After adjusting for sex, BF was inversely and statistically significantly associated with physical activity amount in female. Both female and male had inverse and statistically significant association of BMI and relative VO2max.Reduced lung volumes were associated with lower aerobic fitness, lower physical fitness and lower amount of weekly physical activity. Healthier body mass index was associated with higher aerobic fitness (relative VO2max) in both female and male.

High Intrinsic Aerobic Capacity Protects against Ethanol-Induced Hepatic Injury and Metabolic Dysfunction: Study Using High Capacity Runner Rat Model.

Rats artificially selected over several generations for high intrinsic endurance/aerobic capacity resulting in high capacity runners (HCR) has been developed to study the links between high aerobic fitness and protection from metabolic diseases (Wisloff et al., Science, 2005). We have previously shown that the HCR strain have elevated hepatic mitochondrial content and oxidative capacity. In this study, we tested if the elevated hepatic mitochondrial content in the HCR rat would provide “metabolic protection” from chronic ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis and injury. The Leiber-Decarli liquid diet with ethanol (7% v/v; HCR-E) and without (HCR-C) was given to HCR rats (n = 8 per group) from 14 to 20 weeks of age that were weight matched and pair-fed to assure isocaloric intake. Hepatic triglyceride (TG) content and macro- and microvesicular steatosis were significantly greater in HCR-E compared with HCR-C (p < 0.05). In addition, hepatic superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione levels were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the HCR-E rats. This hepatic phenotype also was associated with reduced total hepatic fatty acid oxidation (p = 0.03) and β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity (p = 0.01), and reductions in microsomal triglyceride transfer protein and apoB-100 protein content (p = 0.01) in HCR-E animals. However, despite these documented hepatic alterations, ethanol ingestion failed to induce significant hepatic liver injury, including no changes in hepatic inflammation, or serum alanine amino transferase (ALTs), free fatty acids (FFAs), triglycerides (TGs), insulin, or glucose. High intrinsic aerobic fitness did not reduce ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis, but protected against ethanol-induced hepatic injury and systemic metabolic dysfunction in a high aerobic capacity rat model.

Inheriting a high aerobic fitness predisposes to skeletal muscle and endothelial dysfunction in chronic heart failure

Inheriting a high aerobic fitness predisposes to skeletal muscle and endothelial dysfunction in chronic heart failure

Association of Physical Fitness With Pain in Women With Fibromyalgia: The al-Ándalus Project.

This population-based cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the association of different components of physical fitness with pain levels, pain-related catastrophizing, and chronic pain self-efficacy in women with fibromyalgia (FM). A total of 468 women with FM participated. The experience of pain was assessed with different tools (algometry, a numeric rating scale [revised FM impact questionnaire], a visual analog scale, and the bodily pain subscale on the Short Form 36 health survey). We also assessed pain-related catastrophizing and chronic pain self-efficacy. Physical fitness was assessed with performance-based tests (Senior Fitness Test battery and handgrip dynamometry). A standardized composite score was computed for each component of physical fitness (aerobic fitness, muscle strength, flexibility, and motor agility), and their average comprised a clustered global fitness profile. Overall, higher physical fitness was consistently associated with lower levels of pain, lower pain-related catastrophizing, and higher chronic pain self-efficacy (regardless of the pain assessment method and the fitness test evaluated). Muscle strength and flexibility were independently associated with pain (P < 0.005 for both), and participants with high muscle strength plus high flexibility (combined effect) had the lowest levels of pain in this population. Aerobic fitness and flexibility were independently associated with pain-related catastrophizing (P < 0.001 for both) and chronic pain self-efficacy (P < 0.001 for both), and participants with high flexibility plus high aerobic fitness (combined effect) had the best catastrophizing and self-efficacy profiles. Our results suggest that higher physical fitness is associated with lower levels of pain, lower pain-related catastrophizing, and higher chronic pain self-efficacy in women with FM. These results might have implications for future intervention studies in this population.

The association between aerobic fitness and cognitive function in older men mediated by frontal lateralization

Previous studies have shown that higher aerobic fitness is related to higher cognitive function and higher task-related prefrontal activation in older adults. However, a holistic picture of these factors has yet to be presented. As a typical age-related change of brain activation, less lateralized activity in the prefrontal cortex during cognitive tasks has been observed in various neuroimaging studies. Thus, this study aimed to reveal the relationship between aerobic fitness, cognitive function, and frontal lateralization. Sixty male older adults each performed a submaximal incremental exercise test to determine their oxygen intake (V·O2) at ventilatory threshold (VT) in order to index their aerobic fitness. They performed a color–word Stroop task while prefrontal activation was monitored using functional near infrared spectroscopy. As an index of cognitive function, Stroop interference time was analyzed. Partial correlation analyses revealed significant correlations among higher VT, shorter Stroop interference time and greater left-lateralized dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activation when adjusting for education. Moreover, mediation analyses showed that left-lateralized DLPFC activation significantly mediated the association between VT and Stroop interference time. These results suggest that higher aerobic fitness is associated with cognitive function via lateralized frontal activation in older adults.

CEREBRAL OXYGENATION-PERFUSION AND CARDIAC HEMODYNAMICS DURING EXERCISE AND RECOVERY IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES ACCORDING TO THEIR FITNESS STATUS

CEREBRAL OXYGENATION-PERFUSION AND CARDIAC HEMODYNAMICS DURING EXERCISE AND RECOVERY IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES ACCORDING TO THEIR FITNESS STATUS

Biophysical characteristics and thermophysiological responses at the inflection point in deep body temperature for individuals with high or low aerobic fitness

Endurance training increases aerobic fitness, improves thermoregulatory function [1] and exercise tolerance in the heat [2]. However, studies comparing individuals of high and low aerobic fitness during exercise in the heat are often confounded by differences in body weight and body composition [3]. It is also disputed if using the relative work rate to standardise exercise intensity is appropriate [4,5] as individuals with higher aerobic fitness will be working at a higher absolute work rate with increased heat production. This study examined the influence of aerobic fitness on biophysical characteristics and thermophysiological responses when moving from compensable to uncompensable conditions, at matched relative and absolute work rates, under conditions of high and low humidity.

Effect of pedaling cadence on muscle oxygenation during high-intensity cycling until exhaustion: a comparison between untrained subjects and triathletes.

The aim of this study was to compare the muscle oxygenation between trained and untrained subjects during heavy exercise until exhaustion at two extreme pedaling cadences using a NIRS system. Nine untrained male subjects and nine male competitive triathletes cycled until exhaustion at an intensity corresponding to 90 % of the power output achieved at peak oxygen uptake at 40 and 100 rpm. Gas exchanges were measured breath-by-breath during each exercise. Muscle (de)oxygenation was monitored continuously by near-infrared spectroscopy on the Vastus Lateralis. Muscle deoxygenation (∆deoxy[Hb + Mb], i.e., O2 extraction) and ∆total[Hb + Mb] were significantly higher at 40 rpm compared to 100 rpm during the exercise in untrained subjects but not in triathletes (p < 0.05). The time performed until exhaustion was significantly higher at 40 than at 100 rpm in untrained subjects (373 ± 55 vs. 234 ± 37 s, respectively) but not in triathletes (339 ± 69 vs. 325 ± 66 s). These results indicate that high aerobic fitness (1) allows for better regulation between [Formula: see text]O2M and VO2M following the change in pedaling cadence, and (2) is the most important factor in the relationship between pedaling cadence and performance.

Associations of Adiposity and Aerobic Fitness with Executive Function and Math Performance in Danish Adolescents

To examine the associations of adiposity and aerobic fitness with executive function and math performance in Danish adolescents. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted with data on 525 adolescents attending sixth and seventh grades from 14 schools in the 5 main regions of Denmark. A modified Eriksen flanker task was used to assess inhibitory control, a key aspect of executive function. Academic performance was assessed by a customized math test. Aerobic fitness was assessed by an intermittent shuttle-run test (Andersen test). Body mass index (BMI) was negatively associated with accuracy on incongruent trials during the flanker task (P = .005). A higher BMI was associated with a larger accuracy interference score (P = .01). Similarly, waist circumference (WC) was negatively associated with accuracy on incongruent trials (P = .008). A higher WC was associated with a larger reaction time (RT) interference score (P = .02) and accuracy interference score (P = .009). Higher aerobic fitness was associated with a faster RT on congruent trials (P = .009) and incongruent trials (P = .003). Higher aerobic fitness was associated with a smaller RT interference score (P = .04). Aerobic fitness was positively associated with math score (P < .001). BMI and WC were not associated with math score (P > .05). These results suggest that aerobic fitness is positively associated with both inhibitory control and math performance in adolescents. Adiposity is negatively associated with inhibitory control in adolescents. Adiposity is not associated with math performance.

Health-related quality of life and aerobic fitness in people with schizophrenia.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether aerobic fitness contributes to the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with schizophrenia, while adjusting for other previously-established contributory factors. Thirty-four male (34.1 ± 12.0 years) and 13 female (34.3 ± 9.2 years) participants performed a submaximal Astrand-Rhyming cycle ergometer test and completed the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Psychosis Evaluation tool for Common Use by Caregivers. After controlling for age and sex, illness duration (12.4 ± 11.2 years, r(2) = 0.38, P < 0.001), fewer positive (9.3 ± 4.3, r(2) = 0.30, P = 0.006) and cognitive (8.4 ± 3.8, r(2) = 0.28, P = 0.011) symptoms, and higher aerobic fitness (34.5 ± 8.7 ml O2 min(-1) kg(-1), r(2) = 0.36, P = 0.001) were found to be independent significant predictors of physical HRQoL (mean score 66.6 ± 18.5). However, when all variables were included in the same regression model, only illness duration (P = 0.004) and positive symptoms (P = 0.045) remained significant predictors, while there was a trend (P < 0.10) for age and aerobic fitness. The final model explained 54% of the variability in physical HRQoL. No significant correlates for mental HRQoL (54.9 ± 18.5) were found. People with schizophrenia might improve their physical HRQoL by improving their aerobic fitness. Mental health nurses should assist in facilitating improvements in aerobic fitness through facilitating physical activity participation in patients with schizophrenia.

Rats Bred For High Aerobic Fitness Are Protected From Ovariectomy-induced Insulin Resistance During Euglycemic Clamp

Ovariectomized (OVX) rodents model human menopause such that they develop metabolic dysfunction including reduced insulin sensitivity (i.e., insulin resistance (IR)) and increased adiposity. How aerobic fitness per se might protect against OVX-associated IR is not known. PURPOSE: To determine whether rats bred for high intrinsic aerobic fitness (HCR) are protected against OVX-induced IR using the gold standard euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp procedure, compared to rats bred for low intrinsic aerobic capacity (LCR). METHODS: Female HCR and LCR rats (n=40; age 22 wk) received OVX or sham-surgery (SHM) (groups: HCRSHM, HCROVX, LCRSHM, and LCROVX (n=10/group)). All rats underwent the clamp procedure 27 weeks following surgery. Following recovery from surgical catheterization of arterial and venous lines (3-5 days), rats were fasted for 5 hours and tested with the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp to assess whole body insulin sensitivity. During the clamps, insulin was continuously infused at 4 mU/kg/min and blood samples were collected every 10min for an hour. Following the clamp procedure, a bolus of 14C-2-deoxyglucose (2DOG) was infused for the tissue-specific assessment of glucose uptake. Visceral (perigonadal, omental, and epididymal) and brown adipose tissue depots, and skeletal muscle samples were harvested 25 min following an infusion of 2DOG. RESULTS: While no differences in fasting glucose levels were found, glucose infusion rate (GIR) was lower in LCRSHM compared to HCRSHM (16.6±2.6 vs. 21.9±4.0 mg/kg/min, respectively; p<0.05) and LCR experienced a further reduction in GIR following OVX (-36%, p<0.05) compared to LCRSHM. In contrast, HCR did not exhibit a significant change in GIR following OVX. OVX increased body weight gain (HCR: +10%, LCR: +20%; p<0.05) and visceral adiposity (HCR: +30%, LCR: +62%; p<0.05) regardless of aerobic capacity. CONCLUSION: HCR rats were only slightly protected against OVX-associated gain in adiposity but were completely protected against OVX-associated insulin resistance. Analyses are underway to determine tissue-specific differences in glucose handling between groups in order to gain better mechanistic insight about the protection conferred by intrinsic fitness in this rodent model of menopause.

Aerobic fitness is associated with inhibitory control in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent, disabling, and poorly managed in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Aerobic fitness might be a target of exercise training interventions for improving cognition in this population. It is unknown if the well-established pattern of associations between higher aerobic fitness and better inhibitory control in the general population exists among persons with MS. The current cross-sectional study examined the effects of aerobic fitness (VO2peak) on inhibitory control, using a modified flanker task, in 28 persons with MS and 28 healthy controls matched by age, sex, and body mass index. This involved performing bivariate correlations and hierarchical linear regression analyses on measures of aerobic fitness and inhibitory control. Persons with MS demonstrated lower VO2peak (d = -0.45), slower (d = 0.62-0.84), and less accurate (d = -0.60 to 0.71) performance on the flanker task than controls. VO2peak was similarly associated with reaction time measures of inhibitory control in the MS and control samples (ρ = -0.40 to 0.54). VO2peak (p < .01), but not group (p ≥ .08) (MS vs. control), predicted reaction time on the flanker task, irrespective of age, sex, and education. This supports the development of aerobic exercise interventions for improving reaction time on tasks of inhibitory control in persons with MS, much like what has been successfully undertaken in the general population.

Self-reported physical activity and objective aerobic fitness: differential associations with gray matter density in healthy aging

Aerobic fitness (AF) and self-reported physical activity (srPA) do not represent the same construct. However, many exercise and brain aging studies interchangeably use AF and srPA measures, which may be problematic with regards to how these metrics are associated with brain outcomes, such as morphology. If AF and PA measures captured the same phenomena, regional brain volumes associated with these measures should directly overlap. This study employed the general linear model to examine the differential association between objectively-measured AF (treadmill assessment) and srPA (questionnaire) with gray matter density (GMd) in 29 cognitively unimpaired community-dwelling older adults using voxel based morphometry. The results show significant regional variance in terms of GMd when comparing AF and srPA as predictors. Higher AF was associated with greater GMd in the cerebellum only, while srPA displayed positive associations with GMd in occipito-temporal, left perisylvian, and frontal regions after correcting for age. Importantly, only AF level, and not srPA, modified the relationship between age and GMd, such that higher levels of AF were associated with increased GMd in older age, while decreased GMd was seen in those with lower AF as a function of age. These results support existing literature suggesting that both AF and PA exert beneficial effects on GMd, but only AF served as a buffer against age-related GMd loss. Furthermore, these results highlight the need for use of objective PA measurement and comparability of tools across studies, since results vary dependent upon the measures used and whether these are objective or subjective in nature.

Female rats selectively bred for high intrinsic aerobic fitness are protected from ovariectomy-associated metabolic dysfunction.

Ovariectomized rodents model human menopause in that they rapidly gain weight, reduce spontaneous physical activity (SPA), and develop metabolic dysfunction, including insulin resistance. How contrasting aerobic fitness levels impacts ovariectomy (OVX)-associated metabolic dysfunction is not known. Female rats selectively bred for high and low intrinsic aerobic fitness [high-capacity runners (HCR) and low-capacity runners (LCR), respectively] were maintained under sedentary conditions for 39 wk. Midway through the observation period, OVX or sham (SHM) operations were performed providing HCR-SHM, HCR-OVX, LCR-SHM, and LCR-OVX groups. Glucose tolerance, energy expenditure, and SPA were measured before and 4 wk after surgery, while body composition via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and adipose tissue distribution, brown adipose tissue (BAT), and skeletal muscle phenotype, hepatic lipid content, insulin resistance via homeostatic assessment model of insulin resistance and AdipoIR, and blood lipids were assessed at death. Remarkably, HCR were protected from OVX-associated increases in adiposity and insulin resistance, observed only in LCR. HCR rats were ∼30% smaller, had ∼70% greater spontaneous physical activity (SPA), consumed ∼10% more relative energy, had greater skeletal muscle proliferator-activated receptor coactivator 1-alpha, and ∼40% more BAT. OVX did not increase energy intake and reduced SPA to the same extent in both HCR and LCR. LCR were particularly affected by an OVX-associated reduction in resting energy expenditure and experienced a reduction in relative BAT; resting energy expenditure correlated positively with BAT across all animals (r = 0.6; P < 0.001). In conclusion, despite reduced SPA following OVX, high intrinsic aerobic fitness protects against OVX-associated increases in adiposity and insulin resistance. The mechanism may involve preservation of resting energy expenditure.

The relationship between aerobic fitness and neural oscillations during visuo-spatial attention in young adults.

While the cognitive benefits of aerobic fitness have been widely investigated, current findings in young adults remain unclear. Specifically, little is known about how these effects are reflected in the time-frequency domain. This study thus assessed the relationship between aerobic fitness and neural oscillations during visuo-spatial attention. A between-subjects design that included 20 participants with higher aerobic fitness (age = 21.95 ± 2.24 years; VO2max = 58.98 ± 6.94 ml/kg/min) and 20 age- and gender-matched lower aerobic fitness participants (age = 23.25 ± 2.07 years; VO2max = 35.87 ± 3.41 ml/kg/min) was used to examine the fitness-related differences in performance and neuroelectric indexes during a Posner visuo-spatial attention paradigm. The results demonstrated that high-fitness participants, in comparison with their low-fitness counterparts, showed faster reaction times as well as greater modulation of oscillatory theta and beta power during target processing, regardless of cue types. Moreover, the neurocognitive correlation showed that higher theta power was related to better task performance. Collectively, these findings suggest that aerobic fitness is associated with general enhanced attentional control in relation to visuo-spatial processing, as evidenced through greater motor preparation and in particular the up-regulation of attentional processing in healthy young adults. The present study may contribute to current knowledge by revealing the relationship between aerobic fitness and modulation of brain oscillations.

Small-sided games in team sports training: a brief review.

Small-sided games (SSGs) incorporating skills, sport-specific movements, at intensities sufficient to promote aerobic adaptations, are being increasingly implemented in professional team sport environments. Small-sided games are often employed by coaches based on the premise that the greatest training benefits occur when training simulates the specific movement patterns and physiological demands of the sport. At present, there is relatively little information regarding how SSG can best be used to improve physical capacities and technical and tactical skills in team sports. It is possible that with some modifications (e.g., number of players, pitch size, coach encouragement, and wrestling), such games may be physiologically beneficial for athletes with relatively high initial aerobic fitness levels. For instance, it has been shown that 3-a-side soccer SSG resulted in higher intensity (i.e., greater overall distance, less jogging and walking, higher heart rate, and more tackling, dribbling, goal attempts, and passes) than 5-a-side SSG. Likewise, when player numbers were kept constant, a larger playing area increased the intensity of the SSG with a smaller playing area having the opposite effect. It has also been demonstrated that energy expenditure was similar between badminton and volleyball courts, but lower than that obtained in a basketball court. Moreover, it has been demonstrated in rugby that wrestling can increase the physical demands of SSG. Consistent coach encouragement can also increase training intensity, although most rule changes have trivial or no effect on exercise intensity. Further research is required to examine the optimal periodization strategies of SSG training for the long-term development of physiological capacity, technical skill, and tactical proficiency, while also minimizing the associated risk of injuries.

The Andersen aerobic fitness test: reliability and validity in 10-year-old children.

BackgroundHigh aerobic fitness is consistently associated with a favorable metabolic risk profile in children. Direct measurement of peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) is often not feasible, thus indirect tests such as the Andersen test are required in many settings. The present study seeks to determine the reliability and validity of the Andersen test in 10-year-old children.MethodsA total of 118 10-year-old children (67 boys and 51 girls) were recruited from one school and performed four VO2peak tests over three weeks: three Andersen tests (indirect) and one continuous progressive treadmill test (direct). Of these, 104 children provided valid data on all Andersen tests and 103 children also provided valid data on the direct treadmill test. Reliability and validity were assessed using Bland Altman plots and linear regression analysis.ResultsBias (mean change) and random error (limits of agreement) were 26.7±125.2 m for test 2 vs. test 1 (p<.001 for mean difference) and 3.9±88.8 m for test 3 vs. test 2 (p = .514 for mean difference). The equation to estimate VO2peak suggested by Andersen et al. (2008) showed a poor fit in the present sample; thus, we suggest a new equation: VO2peak = 23.262+0.050*Andersen distance –3.858*gender –0.376*body weight (R2 = 0.61, standard error of the estimate = 5.69, p<.001, boys = 0, girls = 1).ConclusionsThe Andersen test provided reliable and valid data on a group level. However, a substantial degree of individual variability was found for estimates of VO2peak. Researchers should be aware of the amount of noise in indirect tests that estimate aerobic fitness.

175. High levels of aerobic fitness are associated with fewer senescent T-cells and a lower prevalence of latent cytomegalovirus infection in healthy men

The immune risk profile (IRP) is an array of immunological biomarkers that is associated with decreased vaccine efficacy, increased disease susceptibility and 3–5 year mortality in the elderly. Increased proportions of KLRG1 + CD28-CD8 (senescent) T-cells and latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection are key components of the IRP. We have previously shown that high aerobic fitness levels (determined by VO2 max) are associated with a decreased accumulation of senescent T-cells during aging, but it is not known if fitness affects CMV prevalence or viral load. T-cell phenotypes and CMV status was determined in 74 healthy men (aged 18–64) categorized as “High Fit” ( n = 36) or “Low Fit” ( n = 38) according to age-adjusted VO2max scores. High aerobic fitness was associated with lower proportions of senescent CD8+ T-cells (23.0% v 46.6%; p < 0.05) and lower CMV seroprevalence (33.3% v 63.2%), but did not impact CMV IgG antibody titers (a measure of viral load) in the seropositive participants. Although CMV can drive T-cell differentiation, the effects of fitness on senescent CD8+ T-cell proportions withstood adjustment for CMV serostatus, indicating that fitness may impact the composition of the CD8+ T-cell pool independently of CMV. Plasma testosterone levels and serostatus/titers for Epstein-Barr virus, toxoplasmosis, and Helicobacter Pylori were not affected by fitness. In conclusion, high levels of aerobic fitness across the lifespan are associated with a less differentiated T-cell profile and a lower prevalence of CMV.

Aerobic fitness is associated with greater white matter integrity in children.

Aerobic fitness has been found to play a positive role in brain and cognitive health of children. Yet, many of the neural biomarkers related to aerobic fitness remain unknown. Here, using diffusion tensor imaging, we demonstrated that higher aerobic fitness was related to greater estimates of white matter microstructure in children. Higher fit 9- and 10-year-old children showed greater fractional anisotropy (FA) in sections of the corpus callosum, corona radiata, and superior longitudinal fasciculus, compared to lower fit children. The FA effects were primarily characterized by aerobic fitness differences in radial diffusivity, thereby raising the possibility that estimates of myelination may vary as a function of individual differences in fitness during childhood. White matter structure may be another potential neural mechanism of aerobic fitness that assists in efficient communication between gray matter regions as well as the integration of regions into networks.

A sound children's mind in a healthy children's body

oftheRomanpoetJuvenal(∼60–127AD).Juvenal’s intention with this phrase wasrather to teach his fellow Roman citizensthe right virtues worth praying for, thanmaking any scientific statement about theimpact of physical activity on the humanmind. But Juvenal’s phrase interpreted inthe latter context has turned true in lightof growing evidence from neurocognitiveresearch suggesting that physical fitnessindeed enhances cognitive function (for areview see Hillman et al., 2008).A more recent but even more impor-tant question is how physical activity andtraining may influence the developingbrain during periods in which the brainmatures, learns and forms connections(Amso and Casey, 2006). In adult animalsand humans, physical exercise was in factshown to influence the brains cellular andmolecular layout by stimulating neuroge-nesis (e.g., transiently elevating levels ofbrain-derived neurotrophic factor impor-tant for brain plasticity and behavior)in brain regions like the hippocampus,known to underpin memory formation(for a review see Voss et al., 2013).Research like this in children is funda-mentalforthedevelopmentofappropriateeducational concepts optimally embed-ding sport activities into children’s schoolday. Reality however speaks a differentlanguage, since even in light of previ-ous research indeed suggesting improvedcognitive function with enhanced physi-cal fitness (see e.g., Hillman et al., 2009;Pontifex et al., 2011; Voss et al., 2011;Chaddock et al., 2012), opportunities forphysical activities for children are progres-sively reduced, not only in school but alsoaround their home environment (Troianoet al., 2008). At the same time, societyis seeking for young sport talents in soc-cer, football, basketball, hockey, and otherfamous sports, progressively establishing aselection process segregating children intoan inactive group, receiving more schoolclass and less sport education, from thosetalents being intensively trained for a pos-sible professional sport career.That this development in sport edu-cation might be misleading was alreadysuggested by a number of recent cross-sectional studies showing improvedcognitive function with enhanced phys-ical fitness (see e.g., Hillman et al.,2009; Pontifex et al., 2011; Voss et al.,2011; Chaddock et al., 2012). The study“The effect of physical activity on func-tional MRI activation associated withcognitive control in children: a random-ized controlled intervention” by LauraChaddock-Heyman and colleagues hasgained a large community-wide inter-est after publication, since it is the firstlong-term interventional functional MRIstudy addressing the open question howphysical activity influences cognitivecapacity together with the function ofspecific prefrontal regions in children. Thestudy published in Frontiers in HumanNeuroscience in March 2013 is the conse-quent next step in this research field, sincethe cross-sectional studies conducted sofar bear the risk that instead of the physi-cal training itself, other hidden systematicbetween-group factors, such as genesandnutrition,mayexplainwhyphysi-cally active children outperformed theirlower fit peers on tasks of cognitive con-trol (Hillman et al., 2009; Pontifex et al.,2011; Voss et al., 2011; Chaddock et al.,2012). Furthermore, only a few studieson children have combined cognitive test-ing with brain imaging to examine howphysical activity and aerobic fitness relateto brain processes of enhanced cognitivefunction (Hillman et al., 2011). Recentevidencefromthefewbrainimagingstud-iespublishedsofarsuggestreducedneuralactivity in the prefrontal cortex togetherwith improved cognitive function in chil-dren with higher aerobic fitness levels(Chaddock et al., 2011; Voss et al., 2011).These findings are in agreement withstudies comparing adult’s with children’scognitivecontrolcapacitiesdemonstratingreduced activity in the frontal cortex ofadults coupled with enhanced cognitiveperformance (see e.g., Diamond, 2006;Bunge and Crone, 2009).The study design used by Chaddock-Heyman and colleagues acknowledgesthese previous studies also when account-ing for the two main problems that occurwhen investigating the developing brain:First, an interventional study involvingchildren over a longer time period needsto control for the “normal” progress in