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Acute Exercise Effects Predict Training Change in Cognition and Connectivity
Michelle W Voss1, Timothy B Weng1, Krithika Narayana-Kumanan2
1Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
Acute aerobic exercise benefits for memory and brain connectivity are linked to training outcomes. Moderate-intensity exercise showed stronger acute effects, predicting greater long-term improvements in working memory and brain networks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Previous research indicates acute aerobic exercise and training enhance memory and brain connectivity.
- The relationship between acute and training effects of aerobic exercise on these outcomes is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if acute and training effects of aerobic exercise on working memory and brain network connectivity are related within the same individuals.
- To test the proof-of-concept for acute exercise effects as biomarkers for training benefits.
Main Methods:
- A randomized clinical trial involving 34 cognitively normal older adults.
- Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and completed a working memory task after light- and moderate-intensity exercise sessions and a 12-week aerobic training program.
Main Results:
- Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise acutely improved working memory and altered default network connectivity, predicting training gains.
- Acute improvements in working memory and connectivity after moderate exercise correlated with greater improvements after 12-week training.
- Exercise-induced changes in frontoparietal network connectivity related to both acute and training-related working memory enhancements.
Conclusions:
- Acute effects of aerobic exercise on brain function and performance can serve as biomarkers for subsequent training benefits.
- These findings suggest a potential pathway for developing targeted aerobic exercise interventions to enhance memory in older adults.
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