Greater Semantic Memory Activation After Exercise Training Cessation in Older Endurance-Trained Athletes

To examine the effects of a 10-day exercise-training cessation on semantic memory functional activation in older distance runners.

Ten master runners (62.6 ± 7.0 years) with a long-term endurance-training history (29.0 ± 6.0 years) underwent a 10-day training cessation. Before and immediately after the training cessation, semantic memory activation was measured during the famous name recognition task, using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

The 10-day training cessation resulted in greater semantic memory activation in three brain regions, including the left inferior frontal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, and inferior semilunar lobule. The 10-day training cessation did not significantly alter famous name recognition task performance.

The findings demonstrate that even a relatively short period without exercise training alters the functional activation patterns of semantic memory-related neural networks. Increased semantic memory activation after training cessation may indicate reduced neural efficiency during successful memory retrieval.