Effects of Two Intensities of Exercise on Memory, Concentration, Planning, and Reasoning

Active workstations (e.g., desk cycles) have recently gained popularity as a means of reducing sedentary behavior in schools. In addition to physical benefits, teachers who have adopted active classrooms anecdotally report cognitive benefits such as students being more focused during instruction. In contrast, empirical work suggests that concurrent exercise has a negative effect on cognition (Lambourne & Tomporowski, 2010). The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of no exercise (CON), low-intensity exercise (LOW), and moderate-intensity exercise (MOD) on a series of cognitive measures. Young, healthy participants (n=48) were randomly assigned to either CON (sedentary), LOW (25-30% HRR), or MOD (50-55% HRR) groups. Those assigned to LOW and MOD exercised with a DeskCycle to achieve desired HR while those in CON sat passively at the Deskcycle. Four Cambridge Brain Sciences Inc. computerized tests were completed to assess planning, concentration, short-term memory, and reasoning while exercising. A self-paced word pair recall test was also administered during the exercise bout, and long-term recall of the word pairs was assessed 24 hours later. Separate one-way ANOVAs were conducted on each cognition test. A 3 (group) x 2 (test) RM ANCOVA with the amount of time spent during each test as covariates was used to assess immediate and delayed recall of word pairs. Groups did not differ in planning, concentration, short-term memory, or reasoning scores (p’s \u3e .05). In both immediate and delayed memory tests, MOD recalled fewer words than CON when controlling for test time (p=.049), and LOW was not different from either group (p\u3e .05). In the present study, exercise did not show any effect on planning, concentration, reasoning, or short-term memory. While previous research shows long-term memory is improved by exercise before or after learning (Roig, et al., 2013), moderate-intensity exercise that occurs during learning seems to impair long-term memory recall

Acute Cardiovascular and Metabolic Responses to Three Modes of Treadmill Exercise in Older Adults with Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by muscle tremors, rigidity and dyskinesis leading to balance and gait abnormalities that could alter physiologic responses during exercise. Locomotion on an aquatic treadmill (ATM) or anti-gravity treadmill (AGTM) may be a safe alternative to exercise on a traditional land treadmill (LTM) in those with PD. PUPROSE: To determine the acute cardiovascular and metabolic responses to three different modes of treadmill exercise in older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. METHODS: Eight adults diagnosed with PD (68 ± 3 years of age) completed one exercise session on an LTM, one session on an ATM, and one session on an AGTM at 50% body weight. Participants walked from 1 to 3 mph in 0.5 mph increments at 0% grade during each exercise session. Heart rate (HR), energy expenditure (EE), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured at rest and during steady-state exercise at each speed on each treadmill. Rate of perceived exertion was also measured during steady-state exercise. Rate pressure product (RPP) was calculated. RESULTS: All variables, with the exception of DBP, increased as speed increased across all treadmill modes (p \u3c 0.001). Between treadmill modes across all speeds, EE was statistically different (p = 0.025). There was a significant interaction effect for mode and speed for HR (p \u3c 0.001) and RPP (p = 0.003). At all speeds except 1.5 mph, HR was higher on the LTM versus the AGTM (p \u3c 0.05). CONCLUSION: Exercising on an ATM or an AGTM elicits similar physiologic responses to exercise on an LTM in adults with P

Changes in Balance, Gait and Motor Skills Following Treadmill Exercise in Adults with Parkinson’s Disease

Locomotion on an aquatic treadmill or anti-gravity treadmill may be a safe and effective alternative to exercise on a traditional land treadmill in those with Parkinson’s disease as the removal of body weight in these environments may allow the participant to exercise with less concern of falling at higher speeds before reaching volitional fatigue. PURPOSE: To determine the training effects of three different treadmill modalities on dynamic balance, gait, and fine motor control in older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. METHODS: Ten adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (70 ± 5 years of age) completed 8 exercise sessions (4 weeks, 2x/week) each separately on a land treadmill, aquatic treadmill, and anti-gravity treadmill at 50% body weight. Two weeks separated each intervention and the order was randomized. A 4-week control period occurred at the start of the study in which no treadmill exercise was performed. Each exercise session included a 2-minute warm-up and 30 minutes at a moderate intensity. Before and after each intervention, balance, gait and fine motor control were measured. Dynamic balance and gait were assessed using a Timed-Up-and-Go test and Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA). Fine motor control was assessed with the Purdue Pegboard Test. RESULTS: The gait assessment of the POMA was significant across all time points (p = 0.028). All other variables were statistically similar (p \u3e 0.05) across all time points. CONCLUSION: Exercising on a traditional land treadmill, aquatic treadmill, or anti-gravity treadmill for 60 min/week for 4 weeks at a moderate intensity did not alter balance, gait or fine motor control in adults with Parkinson’s disease