Regular Moderate- to Vigorous-Intensity Physical Activity Rather Than Walking Is Associated with Enhanced Cognitive Functions and Mental Health in Young Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Chong Chen¹  Masako Hirotsu¹  Toshio Matsubara¹  Kosuke Hagiwara¹  Huijie Lei¹  Takumi Nakagawa¹  Shin Nakagawa¹  Hirotaka Yamagata¹  Ibuki Koan¹ 

[1] Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan;

关键词: active coping;    cognitive functions;    creativity;    mental health;    moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (mvpa);    personal growth;    psychological wellbeing;    regular physical exercise;    state anxiety;    working memory;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph17020614

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The beneficial effect of physical activity (PA) on the brain has been well established. Both acute and regular PA can boost a range of cognitive functions and enhance mood and mental health. Notably, the effect of acute PA on the brain and cognitive functions is generally found to be dose-dependent, in terms of both the amount and intensity of the exercise episode. In contrast, in the case of regular PA, the literature has primarily focused on the amount of exercise, and limited studies have assessed the influence of the exercise intensity. Since PA in higher intensity causes more extensive, more powerful, and longer-lasting neurobiological changes, it may prove more beneficial to cognitive functions and mental health. In the present study, we set out to test this hypothesis by employing a battery of questionnaires and laboratory tests with a sample of young adults. We found that more frequent vigorous- and moderate-intensity PA rather than walking (considered low to moderate intensity) was associated with better cognitive and mental health measures. Meanwhile, compared with no moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) at all, as few as 1~2 days per week (lasting at least 10 min each time) of MVPA was associated with a variety of benefits, particularly related to coping with challenging situations. In light of the neurobiological literature, the present study speaks to the value of moderate- to vigorous- rather than low-intensity PA in enhancing cognitive functions and mental health.

【 授权许可】

Unknown