Cardiorespiratory fitness and cognition in persons at risk for Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Introduction This study examined the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and longitudinal cognitive functioning in a cohort enriched with risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods A total of 155 enrollees in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention completed repeat comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations that assessed six cognitive domains. Peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 peak) was the primary measure of CRF. Random effects regression was used to investigate the effect of CRF on cognitive trajectories. Results Higher CRF was associated with slower decline in the cognitive domains of verbal learning and memory ( P < .01) and visual learning and memory ( P < .042). Secondary analyses indicated that these effects were stronger among men than women, and for noncarriers of the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele. Discussion Higher CRF was associated with a slower rate of the decline in episodic memory that occurs as a natural consequence of aging in a cohort enriched with risk factors for AD.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Mediates the Relationship between Depressive Symptomatology and Cognition in Older but not Younger Adults

“…In essence, decreased CRF was shown to drive the negative effect that depressive symptoms may have on general cognition and memory performance. Previous literature has evidenced the adverse effects that depressive symptomatology has on cognition, especially in OA [4,5], while also showing the protective role that greater CRF can have on cognition [11] and memory [12,13]. Thus, in the presence of depressive symptomatology, individuals tend to exhibit reduced levels of physical activity [27], and this decline may be associated with a subsequent decrease in CRF [28].…”

“…CRF is a component and objective measure of physical activity that re ects the ability of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to supply oxygen during prolonged physical activity [10]. Speci cally, higher CRF has been associated with overall better cognitive function [11], including memory [12,13] and EF [11][12][14][15]. This is particularly important in advanced stages of life, once CRF tends to decline with aging [16].…”

Swimming Exercise-Induced Improvements in Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF) are Caused by Nitric Oxide Functional Adaptations in the Oxygen Transport System

“…Increases in CRF are associated with a number of health benefits. Higher levels of CRF are often associated with a significant increase in physical activity [7]. The measurement of CRF is typically expressed in absolute or relative terms.…”