title: Poorer aerobic fitness relates to reduced integrity of multiple memory systems.
abstract: Epidemiological investigations have revealed increases in the prevalence of sedentary behaviors in industrialized societies. However, the implications of those lifestyle choices and related cardiorespiratory fitness levels for memory function are not well-understood. To determine the extent to which cardiorespiratory fitness relates to the integrity of multiple memory systems, a cross-sectional sample of young adults were tested over the course of 3 days in areas related to implicit memory, working memory, long-term memory, and aerobic fitness. Findings revealed an association between aerobic fitness and memory function such that individuals with lower cardiorespiratory fitness exhibited poorer implicit memory performance and poorer long-term memory retention. These data indicate that cardiorespiratory fitness may be important for the optimal function of neural networks underlying these memory systems.
authors.affiliation: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA, pontifex@msu.edu.
authors.forename: Matthew B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Pontifex
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Parks
authors.forename: Patrick C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: O'Neil
authors.forename: Adriel R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Egner
authors.forename: Joseph T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Warning
authors.forename: Karin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.forename: Kimberly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Fenn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001823:Body Composition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult