Cognitive effects of a 30-min aerobic exercise bout on adults with overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background: Several studies document reliable brain health benefits of acute exercise bouts. However, no prior studies have explored such effects among those living with co-morbid overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), both of which are conditions associated with cognitive performance decrements.

Purpose: To examine the impact of a 30-min bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on executive function among adults with overweight/obesity and T2DM, employing a widely used experimental paradigm.

Methods: Thirty adults with overweight/obesity and T2DM were randomly assigned to moderate (30% maximal heart rate reserve) and minimal (r.p.m. 30-50; work load 5) intensity aerobic exercise. Pre-exercise to post-exercise changes in Stroop interference and Go/No-Go scores were compared across conditions.

Results: Primary analyses revealed no overall effect of exercise condition on changes in Stroop or Go/No-Go performance. Post-hoc moderation analyses indicated that Stroop interference scores were reduced, following moderate exercise among female participants and among those who were more physically active.

Conclusion: The current study revealed no reliable benefit of acute aerobic exercise for overweight and obese individuals living with T2DM overall. There may be limited benefits for women and more and active subgroups, but the precise nature of such benefits remains unclear.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise; executive function; self‐regulatory fatigue; type 2 diabetes.

Figure 1

Stroop interference change by condition and sex. This figure depicts change in Stroop interference (Post – Pre) following minimal and moderate intensity exercise for male (n=14) and female (n=13) participants separately, such that a positive score indicates an increase in interference and a negative score indicates a decrease. Error bars represent standard error