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

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundSeveral 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.PurposeTo 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.MethodsThirty 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.ResultsPrimary 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.ConclusionThe 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.

Effects of Acute Aerobic Exercise Combined with Resistance Exercise on Neurocognitive Performance in Obese Women

“…Quintero et al [ 16 ] also found that acute aerobic HIIE and PRE + HIIE exercise interventions induce behavioral enhancements in cognitive inhibition in overweight inactive male adults when performing the Stroop test. In addition, overweight/obese female adults with type 2 diabetes showed reduced Stroop interference scores following an acute bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise [ 18 ]. The present results partly concurred with earlier studies investigating the effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance in older adults [ 54 ] or in obese groups [ 17 , 18 ].…”

“…However, by contrast, Tomporowski et al (2008) reported that a 23-min bout of treadmill walking did not influence error rates and global switch cost scores in overweight children when performing a task-switching task [ 17 ]. Also, one study found no reliable improvements in executive functions (e.g., Stroop and Go/nogo tasks) after a 30-min bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise among adults with co-morbid overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes [ 18 ]. However, female participants and those who were more physically active showed reduced Stroop interference scores following moderate exercise [ 18 ].…”

“…Also, one study found no reliable improvements in executive functions (e.g., Stroop and Go/nogo tasks) after a 30-min bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise among adults with co-morbid overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes [ 18 ]. However, female participants and those who were more physically active showed reduced Stroop interference scores following moderate exercise [ 18 ]. Accordingly, the effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance are still inconsistent in overweight/obese event-related potential (ERP), and age- and gender-related differences may exist in this population [ 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…However, female participants and those who were more physically active showed reduced Stroop interference scores following moderate exercise [ 18 ]. Accordingly, the effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance are still inconsistent in overweight/obese event-related potential (ERP), and age- and gender-related differences may exist in this population [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Additionally, although a previous study reported the beneficial effects of acute aerobic exercise on behavioral cognitive control in overweight inactive male adults [ 16 ], whether acute exercise affects behavior and, especially, neurophysiological (e.g., ERP) signals involving attentional and inhibitory control in obese female adults is still worthy of further investigation.…”

MKP-5 Relieves Lipotoxicity-Induced Islet β-Cell Dysfunction and Apoptosis via Regulation of Autophagy

“…Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is highly prevalent worldwide, with an incidence of 8.3% that is predicted to rise as high as 10.1% by 2035 [ 1 , 2 ]. This disease is complicated and characterized by hyperglycemia and impaired insulin secretion by islet β-cells [ 3 , 4 ].…”