Inflammation and cognitive performance in elite athletes: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Neuroscience
• Immunology

Background:

• Cognitive function is vital for athletic performance and linked to physical exercise.
• Inflammatory responses to training are known, but their link to athlete cognition is unexplored.
• This study bridges the gap by examining cognition, inflammation, and other biomarkers in elite athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between cognitive performance and inflammatory, metabolic, and micronutrient biomarkers in elite athletes.
• To identify key predictors of cognitive function including processing speed, attention, working memory, and flexibility.
• To explore the role of inflammatory balance and nutrient status in maintaining cognitive abilities.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 350 elite athletes.
• Assessment of cognitive performance (processing speed, selective attention, working memory, cognitive flexibility).
• Measurement of systemic inflammatory markers, metabolic hormones, growth factors, tissue damage markers, micronutrients (ferritin, 25-OH-vitamin D), and stress/recovery indicators.
• Correlative and multiple regression analyses were employed.

Main Results:

• Cognitive performance (processing speed, selective attention, working memory) was best explained by metabolic hormones and stress indicators across all athletes.
• Cognitive flexibility was significantly associated with vitamin D levels.
• In closed-skill athletes, the TNF-α:IL-10 ratio influenced working memory and cognitive flexibility.

Conclusions:

• Metabolic hormones, stress levels, and vitamin D are crucial for maintaining cognitive function in elite athletes.
• Inflammatory balance and adequate long-term nutrient supply are essential for optimal cognitive performance.
• Specific inflammatory markers play a role in cognitive flexibility for athletes in closed-skill sports.