Different Exercise Types Produce the Same Acute Inhibitory Control Improvements When the Subjective Intensity Is
Laura Carbonell-Hernandez1, Juan Arturo Ballester-Ferrer1, Esther Sitges-Macia2
1Sports Research Center, Department of Sport Sciences, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain.
Summary
Different exercise types, including aerobic, strength, and balance games, significantly improved cognitive function in older adults. These cognitive benefits were consistent across exercise types when moderate subjective intensity was maintained.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Physical activity is crucial for maintaining cognitive function in older adults.
- Understanding the specific cognitive impacts of different exercise modalities is important for targeted interventions.
- Previous research suggests exercise benefits cognition, but direct comparisons of acute effects from varied exercise types are less common.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the acute cognitive effects of aerobic, strength (elastic bands), and stationary balance game exercise sessions in active older adults.
- To investigate if different exercise types elicit varying impacts on inhibitory control.
- To explore potential differences in cognitive response based on BDNF rs6265 genotype.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-eight active older adults participated in a counterbalanced study involving three exercise sessions (aerobic, strength, balance).
- Participants maintained moderate subjective intensity (RPE 5-6) and underwent the Stroop test pre- and post-session.
- Heart rate was monitored, and a subset of participants was genotyped for BDNF rs6265.
Main Results:
- All exercise sessions led to significant improvements in inhibitory control (Stroop test performance).
- No significant differences in cognitive improvement were observed between the aerobic, strength, or balance exercise sessions.
- Heart rate varied across sessions, but subjective intensity was consistently maintained; no genotype-specific cognitive differences were found.
Conclusions:
- Moderate-intensity exercise, regardless of type (aerobic, strength, balance), acutely enhances cognitive function in older adults.
- Maintaining consistent subjective intensity appears key for achieving similar cognitive benefits across different exercise modalities.
- The BDNF rs6265 genotype did not appear to influence acute cognitive responses to these exercise interventions.
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