Associations Between Age and Resting State Connectivity Are Partially Dependent Upon Cardiovascular Fitness
Charleen J Gust1, Erin N Moe2, Douglas R Seals3
1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States.
Abstract:
Previous research suggests a marked impact of aging on structural and functional connectivity within the frontoparietal control network (FPCN) and default mode network (DMN). As aging is also associated with reductions in cardiovascular fitness, age-related network connectivity differences reported by past studies could be partially due to age-related declines in fitness. Here, we use data collected as part of a 16-week exercise intervention to explore relationships between fitness and functional connectivity. Young and older adults completed baseline assessments including cardiovascular fitness, health and functioning measures, and an fMRI session. Scan data were acquired on a Siemens 3T MRI scanner with a 32-channel head coil. Results from regression analyses indicated that average connectivity did not differ between young and older adults. However, individual ROI-to-ROI connectivity analyses indicated weaker functional correlations for older adults between specific regions in the FPCN and DMN and, critically, many of these differences were attenuated when fitness was accounted for. Taken together, findings suggest that fitness exerts regional rather than global effects on network connectivity.
More Related Videos
07:56Resting-State Connectivity and Neuroimaging of Prefrontal Cortex Activity During a Block-Design Yoga Asana Practice Using fNIRS
Published on: June 24, 2025
07:13Cerebral Blood Flow-Based Resting State Functional Connectivity of the Human Brain using Optical Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy
Published on: May 27, 2020
Related Concept Videos
01:30Factors Influencing Heart Rate
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
01:29Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:25Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle
A cardiac action potential originates in the SA node and spreads throughout the atria and the AV node in approximately 0.03 seconds. This results in the P wave in an ECG and triggers atrial contraction. The action potential is then briefly slowed at the AV node, allowing the atria to contract and fill the ventricles with blood before...
01:19Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart...