Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa.
Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Training Program, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa.
J Appl Physiol (1985). 2019 Jan 1;126(1):77-87. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00917.2017. Epub 2018 Nov 1.
There is growing evidence that aerobic exercise protects against age-related cognitive decline and that cardiorespiratory fitness is an important factor for these benefits. Studies also suggest that combining physical activity with cognitive enrichment is beneficial. We further examine these predictions by comparing effects of a nutritional supplement promoting exercise capacity to a lower-intensity activity with cognitive enrichment on functional network and cognitive outcomes that otherwise decline with aging. Inactive healthy older adults were randomized to one of four groups including a low-intensity activity with complex cognitive demands (dancing), walking, walking+supplement, or an active control. Results showed that walking+supplement increased salience network functional connectivity (FC), with less training benefit for default mode network FC. Although cognitive performance did not increase for any training group, participants in the walking+supplement group who were on medication that boosted key neurotransmitters (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) showed improved processing speed. Overall, this study provides new insight into how to boost the protective effects of exercise on brain systems that otherwise deteriorate with aging. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Aerobic exercise effects on brain networks that otherwise decline with aging can be boosted with a nutritional supplement including beta-alanine. Beta-alanine supplementation could enhance the extent to which aerobic adaptations benefit the brain. In contrast, cognitive enrichment with low-intensity physical activity through dance did not affect functional networks. Medications that modulate neurotransmitters affected by aging (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) may modify effects of exercise on cognition.
越来越多的证据表明，有氧运动可预防与年龄相关的认知能力下降，而心肺健康是这些益处的一个重要因素。研究还表明，将体育活动与认知训练相结合是有益的。我们通过比较促进运动能力的营养补充剂与具有认知强化作用的低强度活动对功能网络和认知结果的影响，进一步检验了这些预测。不活跃的健康老年人被随机分为四组中的一组，包括具有复杂认知要求的低强度活动（跳舞）、散步、散步+补充剂或积极对照组。结果表明，散步+补充剂增加了突显网络的功能连接（FC），默认模式网络 FC 的训练效果较差。尽管任何训练组的认知表现都没有提高，但在服用能增强关键神经递质（如选择性 5-羟色胺再摄取抑制剂）的药物的散步+补充剂组中，参与者的处理速度有所提高。总的来说，这项研究为如何增强运动对大脑系统的保护作用提供了新的见解，否则这些系统会随着年龄的增长而恶化。
包括β-丙氨酸在内的营养补充剂可以增强有氧运动对大脑网络的影响，否则这些网络会随着年龄的增长而恶化。β-丙氨酸补充剂可以增强有氧运动对大脑的有益影响。相比之下，通过舞蹈进行的低强度体育活动的认知强化并没有影响功能网络。调节衰老（如选择性 5-羟色胺再摄取抑制剂）影响的神经递质的药物可能会改变运动对认知的影响。
