Effects of Cardiorespiratory Fitness on Cerebral Oxygenation in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review

Abstract

IntroductionExercise is known to improve cognitive functioning and the cardiorespiratory hypothesis suggests that this is due to the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) level and cerebral oxygenation. The purpose of this systematic review is to consolidate findings from functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) studies that examined the effect of CRF level on cerebral oxygenation during exercise and cognitive tasks.MethodsMedline, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were systematically searched. Studies categorizing CRF level using direct or estimated measures of V̇O2max and studies measuring cerebral oxygenation using oxyhemoglobin ([HbO2]) and deoxyhemoglobin ([HHb]) were included. Healthy young, middle-aged, and older adults were included whereas patient populations and people with neurological disorders were excluded.ResultsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, 14 studies were retained following abstract and full-text screening. Cycle ergometer or treadmill tests were used as direct measures of CRF, and one study provided an estimated value using a questionnaire. Seven studies examined the effects of CRF on cerebral oxygenation during exercise and the remaining seven evaluated it during cognitive tasks. Increased [HbO2] in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) was observed during cognitive tasks in higher compared to lower fit individuals. Only one study demonstrated increased [HHb] in the higher fit group. Exercise at submaximal intensities revealed increased [HbO2] in the PFC in higher compared to lower fit groups. Greater PFC [HHb] was also observed in long- vs. short-term trained males but not in females. Primary motor cortex (M1) activation did not differ between groups during a static handgrip test but [HHb] increased beyond maximal intensity in a lower compared to higher fit group.ConclusionConsistent with the cardiorespiratory hypothesis, higher fit young, middle-aged, and older adults demonstrated increased cerebral oxygenation compared to lower fit groups. Future research should implement randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions that improve CRF and cerebral oxygenation longitudinally.

Self-Reported Mood and Lifestyle-Related Physical Activity of Young Adults With Major Depressive Disorder

“…For example, increased blood flow to brain structures such as the hippocampus, may be beneficial, as these brain regions comprise limbic pathways related to psychological distress and stress regulation (Aghjayan et al, 2021; Firth et al, 2018; Malykhin et al, 2010). Another mechanism may be the cognitive improvement associated with increasing blood flow in the prefrontal cortex (Salzman et al, 2022; Tavares et al, 2021), due to its important role in the regulation of rewards, emotions, and self-control (Kelley et al, 2019).…”

Runners with better cardiorespiratory fitness had higher prefrontal cortex activity during both single and exercise-executive function dual tasks: an fNIRS study

“…This study has many limitations, which may account for the differences between our results and most previous studies. First, previous studies have found that individuals with higher VO2 peak and VO 2max and more physically active participants may show better executive function in a single task ( Goenarjo et al, 2020a ; Goenarjo et al, 2020b ; Goenarjo et al, 2021 ; Salzman et al, 2022 ). However, no such differences were found when evaluated using the estimated VO 2max .…”

Effects of Baduanjin imagery and exercise on cognitive function in the elderly: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

“…The sports types in previous research were primarily strategic sports ( 31 , 32 ), and the activation of right IFG was found by controlling the exercise intensity to moderate intensity. Studies have shown that brain activation in the elderly was affected by exercise intensity, with higher exercise intensities (higher VO 2max ) more likely to contribute to increased cerebral oxygenation in the elderly ( 60 , 61 ). In contrast, the Baduanjin exercise used in the present study was a closed-loop exercise with low intensity, which may lead to a non-significant activation effect after the intervention.…”