New Year, More Fitness?
As the year of 2019 begins to unfold, it is common to notice family, neighbors, friends, and peers around us start the year off with new goals and mindsets. One of the most common new year's resolutions is increasing or taking part in physical activity. However, according to U.S. News and World Report Health, nearly 80% of people fail to follow through with their goal. Now, research is showing that those who continue to neglect physical activity are missing out on many health benefits.
One of most beneficial results from engaging in physical activity is an improvement in cognitive performance, the brain’s ability to use mental processes to complete necessary functions, such as learning and understanding. Cognitive performance plays a large role in a person’s memory, concentration, reasoning abilities, and brain efficiency in spaces like school or the workplace. With the recent and continuing annual spike in the public’s drive to engage in more physical activity, it has now become a focus of study.
Research was conducted by a group of researchers that focused on drawing a potential connection between aerobic fitness levels and cognitive performance within the workplace. The participants completed an ergometer test (a cycling test to measure aerobic capacity and fitness) on a stationary cycling machine. Additionally, they took a comprehensive cognitive battery test during their work hours. The cognitive battery test consisted of nine tests that evaluated the working memory (short term or recent memory), executive functions (skills used to control and coordinate cognitive abilities and behaviors), episodic memory (long term memory), and processing speed of participants (the time it takes to complete something). With this comprehensive test, researchers were able to compare the aerobic fitness level from the ergometer test to cognitive performance from the battery test to see if there was a connection.
One of most beneficial results from engaging in physical activity is an improvement in cognitive performance, the brain’s ability to use mental processes to complete necessary functions, such as learning and understanding. Cognitive performance plays a large role in a person’s memory, concentration, reasoning abilities, and brain efficiency in spaces like school or the workplace. With the recent and continuing annual spike in the public’s drive to engage in more physical activity, it has now become a focus of study.
Research was conducted by a group of researchers that focused on drawing a potential connection between aerobic fitness levels and cognitive performance within the workplace. The participants completed an ergometer test (a cycling test to measure aerobic capacity and fitness) on a stationary cycling machine. Additionally, they took a comprehensive cognitive battery test during their work hours. The cognitive battery test consisted of nine tests that evaluated the working memory (short term or recent memory), executive functions (skills used to control and coordinate cognitive abilities and behaviors), episodic memory (long term memory), and processing speed of participants (the time it takes to complete something). With this comprehensive test, researchers were able to compare the aerobic fitness level from the ergometer test to cognitive performance from the battery test to see if there was a connection.
Cycling is one common form of aerobic exercise that can help increase aerobic fitness.
Researchers found that participants with low aerobic fitness levels were seen to have a lower cognitive performance. In comparison, participants who had moderate to high levels of aerobic fitness outperformed those with low aerobic fitness in the inhibition and episodic recognition tests. Higher performance on these two particular tests displayed better recall and recognition of memory when evaluating long term memory. However, there was not a great difference between participants with moderate and high aerobic fitness in cognitive performance observed. This lack of difference between moderate and high aerobic levels of fitness demonstrates that there could potentially be a maximum limit to the beneficial effects of aerobic fitness on cognitive performance.
This research helps to show the positive role physical activity—specifically aerobic fitness—has on our body. While participants with a moderate or high aerobic fitness level had a similar cognitive level, there was a noticeable and significant difference between those with low and high aerobic fitness. This research was able to confirm that cognitive functions located in particular lobes of the brain are in fact responsive to aerobic exercise. Therefore, an increase in aerobic exercise can enhance cognitive performance. In conjunction with an improvement in cognitive performance, an increase in aerobic fitness could help to decrease risk for other diseases. Diseases, such as cardiovascular, metabolic syndrome, stroke, and type 2 diabetes tend to pose lower risks in people who participate in aerobic exercise. With all of these benefits having the potential to improve both physical health and cognition, people can begin to lead a healthier life by turning this common New Year’s resolution into an integral part of their lifestyle.
This research helps to show the positive role physical activity—specifically aerobic fitness—has on our body. While participants with a moderate or high aerobic fitness level had a similar cognitive level, there was a noticeable and significant difference between those with low and high aerobic fitness. This research was able to confirm that cognitive functions located in particular lobes of the brain are in fact responsive to aerobic exercise. Therefore, an increase in aerobic exercise can enhance cognitive performance. In conjunction with an improvement in cognitive performance, an increase in aerobic fitness could help to decrease risk for other diseases. Diseases, such as cardiovascular, metabolic syndrome, stroke, and type 2 diabetes tend to pose lower risks in people who participate in aerobic exercise. With all of these benefits having the potential to improve both physical health and cognition, people can begin to lead a healthier life by turning this common New Year’s resolution into an integral part of their lifestyle.
Featured Image Source: Pixabay
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