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. 2021 Nov 3:12:742184.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.742184. eCollection 2021.

Assessment of the Relationship Between Executive Function and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Healthy Older Adults

David Predovan  1   2   3 , Nicolas Berryman  1   4 , Maxime Lussier  1   5 , Francis Comte  1 , Thien Tuong Minh Vu  1   6 , Juan Manuel Villalpando  1 , Louis Bherer  1   3   5   7
Affiliations

Assessment of the Relationship Between Executive Function and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Healthy Older Adults

David Predovan et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and brain health in healthy older adults have been reported using a variety of cardiorespiratory fitness estimates (CRFe). Using commonly used methods to determine CRF, we assessed the relationship between CRFe and executive function performance. Healthy older adults (n = 60, mean age 68 years, 77% women), underwent three CRF tests: a Maximal Graded Exercise Test performed on a cycle ergometer, the Rockport Fitness Walking Test, and a Non-Exercise Prediction Equation. Executive function was assessed by a computerized cognitive assessment using an N-Back task (updating cost) and a Stroop task (interference cost, global and local switch cost). Multiple hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between different CRFe and executive function performance. Regardless of age and education, cardiorespiratory fitness estimated from the Maximal Graded Exercise Test and the Rockport Fitness Walking Test was significantly associated with the global switch cost. All CRFe were associated with the interference cost. No association was observed between CRFe and local switching costs or the updating costs. In the present study, not all subcomponents of executive function were related to CRFe. Interestingly, the executive functions that were associated with CRFe are those that are known to be the most affected by aging.

Keywords: aging; cardiorespiratory fitness; cognition; executive function; physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Illustration of the Stroop task condition. The green circle represents the correct response for each condition trail.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Illustration of the 2-back task. The green circle represents the correct response.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Scatter plots of the associations between cardiorespiratory fitness estimates and executive functions costs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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