title: The relation of aerobic fitness to cognitive control and heart rate variability: a neurovisceral integration study.
abstract: This aim of the present study was to investigate relationships between aerobic fitness, sympathetic and parasympathetic cardiac control using pre-ejection period (PEP) and high frequency heart rate variability (HF HRV), and performance on a task requiring variable amounts of cognitive control. Fifty-six participants completed a modified-version of the Eriksen flanker task while PEP and HF HRV were collected. A graded maximal exercise test was subsequently used to measure aerobic fitness by assessing maximal oxygen uptake. Results indicated a significant relation of fitness to reaction time performance. Although no fitness differences were observed in resting state PEP or HF HRV, higher fit adults exhibited greater task-induced parasympathetic cardiac control. However, no significant mediation was found for HF HRV on the fitness-cognitive control relationship, suggesting other mediators may be important. These findings highlight the role of aerobic fitness in enhancing integrated autonomic and neurocognitive health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science and Sport Studies, Rutgers University, 70 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States. Electronic address: alderman@rutgers.edu.
authors.forename: Brandon L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Alderman
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, United States. Electronic address: ryan.olson@rutgers.edu.
authors.forename: Ryan L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011930:Reaction Time; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Autonomic nervous system; Cognitive function; Executive function; Heart rate variability; Physical fitness