Effects of a school-based physical activity program on retinal microcirculation and cognitive function in adolescents
Deutscher übersetzter Titel: | Auswirkungen eines schulbasierten Programms zur Förderung körperlicher Aktivität auf die retinale Mikrozirkulation und kognitive Funktion bei Jugendlichen |
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Autor: | Ludyga, Sebastian; Köchli, Sabrina; Pühse, Uwe; Gerber, Markus; Hanssen, Henner |
Erschienen in: | Journal of science and medicine in sport |
Veröffentlicht: | 22 (2019), 6, S. 672-676, Lit. |
Format: | Literatur (SPOLIT) |
Publikationstyp: | Zeitschriftenartikel |
Medienart: | Elektronische Ressource (online) Gedruckte Ressource |
Sprache: | Englisch |
ISSN: | 1440-2440, 1878-1861 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.11.029 |
Schlagworte: | |
Online Zugang: | |
Erfassungsnummer: | PU201909006039 |
Quelle: | BISp |
Abstract des Autors
Objectives: To investigate the effect of combined aerobic and coordinative exercise on retinal microcirculation and its association with changes in cognitive performance in healthy adolescents. Design: Using cluster-randomization (on class-level), 36 participants were allocated to an exercise group (EX) performing a 20-min aerobic and coordinative exercise session on each school day over a period of 8 weeks or a control group, which was encouraged to have social interactions (CON). Method: Prior to and following the intervention period, central retinal arteriolar (CRAE) and venular diameters (CRVE) were assessed by use of a static vessel analyzer. Additionally, a computer-based version of the Stroop Color-Word task was administered to assess inhibitory control. Results: The statistical analysis revealed that EX compared to CON showed higher CRAE at post-test, when pre-test values were accounted for, F(1,32) = 4.92, p = 0.036, η2 = 0.130. In contrast, no such effect was reported for CRVE. With regard to cognitive performance, a greater reduction of reaction time on the Stroop task was observed in EX relative to CON, F(1,30) = 8.58, p = 0.006, η2 = 0.222. The increase in CRAE was significantly correlated with a decrease of reaction time on trials demanding inhibitory control, even after adjusting for covariates, r(31) = −0.438, p = 0.011. Conclusions: A structured exercise program leads to a widening of retinal arteriolar diameters, which is associated with improvements in inhibitory control. Consequently, daily exercise sessions performed during the school break-time can be recommended for promoting both cardiovascular and cognitive health in adolescents.