title: Fitness level moderates executive control disruption during exercise regardless of age.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of exercise intensity, age, and fitness levels on executive and nonexecutive cognitive tasks during exercise. Participants completed a computerized modified-Stroop task (including denomination, inhibition, and switching conditions) while pedaling on a cycle ergometer at 40%, 60%, and 80% of peak power output (PPO). We showed that a bout of moderate-intensity (60% PPO) to high-intensity (80% PPO) exercise was associated with deleterious performance in the executive component of the computerized modified-Stroop task (i.e., switching condition), especially in lower-fit individuals (p < .01). Age did not have an effect on the relationship between acute cardiovascular exercise and cognition. Acute exercise can momentarily impair executive control equivalently in younger and older adults, but individual's fitness level moderates this relation.
authors.affiliation: Centre de recherche, Institut universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal and with the Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Veronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Labelle
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bosquet
authors.forename: Said
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mekary
authors.forename: Thien Tuong Minh
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Vu
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smilovitch
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bherer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D057190:Stroop Test; D055815:Young Adult