Associations of cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity, and arterial stiffness with cognition in youth

• Main Authors: Hannamari Skog, Niina Lintu, Henna L. Haapala, Eero A. Haapala
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2020-09-01
• Series: Physiological Reports
• Subjects: adolescent; aerobic capacity; arterial health; body composition; cognitive functions; vascular stiffness
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.14586

Abstract Purpose To investigate the associations of cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity, and arterial stiffness with cognition in 16‐ to 19‐year‐old adolescents. Methods Fifty four adolescents (35 girls; 19 boys) participated in the study. Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) and peak power output (Wmax) were measured by the maximal ramp test on a cycle ergometer and ventilatory threshold (VT) was determined with ventilation equivalents. Lean mass (LM) and body fat percentage (BF%) were measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao) and augmentation index (AIx%) were measured by a non‐invasive oscillometric device. Working memory, short term memory, visual learning and memory, paired‐associate learning, attention, reaction time, and executive function were assessed by CogState tests. Results V̇O2peak/LM (β = 0.36 p = .011) and Wmax/LM (β = 0.30 p = .020) were positively associated with working memory. Wmax/LM was also positively associated with visual learning (β = 0.37, p = .009). V̇O2 at VT/LM was positively associated with working memory (β = 0.30 p = .016), visual learning (β = 0.31 p = .026), and associated learning (β = −0.27 p = .040). V̇O2 at VT as % of V̇O2peak, BF%, PWVao, and AIx% were not associated with cognition. Conclusion Cardiorespiratory fitness was related to better cognitive function, while BF% and arterial stiffness were not associated with cognition in adolescents.