Niemann C, Godde B, Staudinger U M, Voelcker-Rehage C
Jacobs Center on Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development, Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany.
Jacobs Center on Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development, Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany; AgeAct Research Center, Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany; Center for Cognitive Science, Bremen University, Bremen, Germany.
Neuroscience. 2014 Dec 5;281:147-63. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.09.033. Epub 2014 Sep 22.
Physical activity has been demonstrated to diminish age-related brain volume shrinkage in several brain regions accompanied by a reduction of age-related decline in cognitive functions. Most studies investigated the impact of cardiovascular fitness or training. Other types of fitness or training are less well investigated. In addition, little is known about exercise effects on volume of the basal ganglia, which, however, are involved in motor activities and cognitive functioning. In the current study (1) we examined the relationships of individual cardiovascular and motor fitness levels with the volume of the basal ganglia (namely caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus) and selected cognitive functions (executive control, perceptual speed). (2) We investigated the effect of 12-month training interventions (cardiovascular and coordination training, control group stretching and relaxation) on the volume of the respective basal ganglia nuclei. Results revealed that motor fitness but not cardiovascular fitness was positively related with the volume of the putamen and the globus pallidus. Additionally, a moderating effect of the volume of the basal ganglia (as a whole, but also separately for putamen and globus pallidus) on the relationship between motor fitness and executive function was revealed. Coordination training increased caudate and globus pallidus volume. We provide evidence that coordinative exercise seems to be a favorable leisure activity for older adults that has the potential to improve volume of the basal ganglia.
体力活动已被证明可减少几个脑区与年龄相关的脑容量萎缩，并伴随着与年龄相关的认知功能衰退的减轻。大多数研究调查了心血管健康或训练的影响。其他类型的健康或训练则较少得到充分研究。此外，关于运动对基底神经节体积的影响知之甚少，然而，基底神经节参与运动活动和认知功能。在当前研究中，（1）我们检查了个体心血管和运动健康水平与基底神经节（即尾状核、壳核和苍白球）体积以及选定的认知功能（执行控制、感知速度）之间的关系。（2）我们研究了为期12个月的训练干预（心血管和协调训练，对照组为伸展和放松）对各个基底神经节核体积的影响。结果显示，运动健康而非心血管健康与壳核和苍白球的体积呈正相关。此外，还揭示了基底神经节体积（整体而言，以及分别针对壳核和苍白球）对运动健康与执行功能之间关系的调节作用。协调训练增加了尾状核和苍白球的体积。我们提供的证据表明，协调性运动似乎是老年人一项有益的休闲活动，有可能改善基底神经节的体积。
