[slides and audio] Cardiovascular fitness%2C cortical plasticity%2C and aging.

The study investigates the impact of cardiovascular fitness on cognitive performance and brain function in aging humans. Using two separate experiments, the researchers found that increased cardiovascular fitness leads to better performance in a cognitively challenging task, specifically in the attentional network of the brain. In Study 1, highly fit older adults showed greater task-related activity in the prefrontal and parietal cortices compared to less fit participants. Study 2, a randomized clinical trial, demonstrated that a 6-month aerobic exercise intervention significantly improved cardiovascular fitness and cognitive performance, with increased task-related activity in the same brain regions. These findings suggest that increased cardiovascular fitness can enhance the plasticity of the aging brain, potentially reducing cognitive and biological decline. The results also highlight the potential for moderate cardiovascular activity to improve neural functioning and extend independent living in older adults.The study investigates the impact of cardiovascular fitness on cognitive performance and brain function in aging humans. Using two separate experiments, the researchers found that increased cardiovascular fitness leads to better performance in a cognitively challenging task, specifically in the attentional network of the brain. In Study 1, highly fit older adults showed greater task-related activity in the prefrontal and parietal cortices compared to less fit participants. Study 2, a randomized clinical trial, demonstrated that a 6-month aerobic exercise intervention significantly improved cardiovascular fitness and cognitive performance, with increased task-related activity in the same brain regions. These findings suggest that increased cardiovascular fitness can enhance the plasticity of the aging brain, potentially reducing cognitive and biological decline. The results also highlight the potential for moderate cardiovascular activity to improve neural functioning and extend independent living in older adults.

Cardiovascular fitness, cortical plasticity, and aging

January 13, 2004 (received for review June 6, 2003) | Stanley J. Colcombe, Arthur F. Kramer†§$, Kirk I. Erickson†§$, Paige Scalf†§$, Edward McAuley†, Neal J. Cohen*†§$, Andrew Webb†, Gerry J. Jerome†, David X. Marquez‡, and Steriani Elavsky†

Cardiovascular fitness, cortical plasticity, and aging

January 13, 2004 (received for review June 6, 2003) | Stanley J. Colcombe*, Arthur F. Kramer*†§$, Kirk I. Erickson*†§$, Paige Scalf*†§$, Edward McAuley†, Neal J. Cohen*†§$, Andrew Webb†, Gerry J. Jerome†, David X. Marquez‡, and Steriani Elavsky†

January 13, 2004 (received for review June 6, 2003) | Stanley J. Colcombe, Arthur F. Kramer†§$, Kirk I. Erickson†§$, Paige Scalf†§$, Edward McAuley†, Neal J. Cohen*†§$, Andrew Webb†, Gerry J. Jerome†, David X. Marquez‡, and Steriani Elavsky†