[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to examine cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults regularly engaging in synchronized swimming-exercise. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-three female synchronized swimmers ranging in age from 49 to 85 years were recruited for the present study. The duration of synchronized swimming experience ranged from 1 to 39 years. The control group consisted of 36 age- and gender-matched community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults (age range: 49 to 77 years). Cognitive function was evaluated using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J) and compared between the synchronized swimmers and control participants. [Results] No significant differences in mean total MoCA-J scores were observed between the synchronized swimmers and control participants (23.2 ± 3.1 and 22.2 ± 3.6, respectively). Twenty-nine subjects in the control group and 17 in the synchronized swimming group scored below 26 on the MoCA-J, indicative of mild cognitive impairment. Significant differences in delayed recall—but not in visuospatial/executive function, naming, attention, language, abstraction, or orientation—were also observed between the two groups. [Conclusion] The results of the present study suggest that synchronized swimming has beneficial effects on cognitive function, particularly with regard to recent memory.

Although it is known that physical function differs depending on the state of cognitive function, there are no studies that consider changes in cognitive functions when evaluating physical functions of participants before and after an exercise program. In this study, it was observed changes in cognitive function and physical functions of elderly people who participated in a community-based exercise program for 6 months, and examined changes in physical functions that took into account changes in cognitive functions. Forty-nine participants, whose cognitive and physical functions were both measured before and after the exercise program, were included in the analysis. The Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J) was used to assess participants' cognitive function and to determine whether they had mild cognitive impairment (MCI). To assess physical functions, a battery of physical tests was completed. Participants were classified into four groups (before/after; non-MCI/non-MCI, MCI/MCI, non-MCI/MCI, and MCI/non-MCI) according to the changes in cognitive functions after six months. There was no significant difference in the physical functions of the four groups before the start of the program. When changes in physical functions were examined in each group, some changes in physical functions were observed in the groups other than the non-MCI/MCI group. However, there was no significant difference in the physical functions between the four groups after the program. It was suggested that changes in physical functions of elderly people who participated in a community-based exercise program over a 6-month period were not different due to changes in cognitive functions.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary intake on the subjective condition of and oxidative stress in endurance‐trained athletes. Twenty‐four endurance‐trained male runners were recruited. Their average age was 19.8±1.4 years old. Their average running distance was 368.8±160.7km/month. Their dietary intake was assessed by using the food frequency questionnaire based on food groups (FFQg). A visual analog scale was completed for the evaluation of fatigue, tiredness, physical condition, slump level, and endurance in training. The amount of urinary 8‐hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) excretion was evaluated as a marker of oxidative stress with respect to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage. We examined the relationship among dietary intake, subjective condition and 8‐OHdG. No one ingested either the estimated energy requirements or the recommended dietary allowance of all nutrients. No relationship between dietary intake and subjective condition was found. Fruit, and fruit and vegetable (FV) negatively correlated with 8‐OHdG (Fruit: R2=‐.420, p=.037, FV: R2=‐.453, p=.026). Beta‐carotene had a tendency to negatively correlate with 8‐OHdG (R2=‐.400, p=.053). We concluded that dietary intake did not affect the subjective condition. However, the antioxidant effect of carotenoid in fruit may have contributed to the decrease in 8‐OHdG.