2007 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Effects of aerobic exercise training on brain structure in adults
| Project/Area Number |
17300199
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Sports science
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| Research Institution | Tohoku University |
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Principal Investigator |
FUJIMOTO Toshihiko Tohoku University, Center for the Advancement of Higher Education, Senior Assistant Professor (00229048)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
TASHIRO Manabu Tohoiku University・Division of Cyclotron Nuclear Medicine, Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center, Associate Professor (00333477)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2005 – 2007
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| Keywords | exercise / brain structure / MRI / middle age |
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| Research Abstract |
Recent studies suggested that the brain structure plastically changes by learning and environmental demands even in young adults. Since high aerobic fitness capacity suppresses the brain atrophy associated with aging, it may influence the brain structure also in young adults. That may also be associated with psychological benefit of exercise. In this study, we examined the relationship between regional brain gray matter volume, estimated VO_2max and psychological well-being. Right handed university students (80 males and 21 females) who did not smoke were recruited. After the acquisition of high resolution T1 magnetic resonance (MR) images, subjects completed self-reported questionnaires measuring generalized self-efficacy, self-acceptance, subjective happiness and development of identity. Finally, VO_2max was estimated using an incremental submaximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Relationship between regional gray matter volume, VO_2max and psychological well-being was analyzed using optimized voxel-based morphometry technique (VBM). The results of VBM correlation analysis between regional gray matter volume and VO_2max showed positive correlation in a cluster of inferior orbital / temporal pole / insula and negative correlation in striate cortex. The gray matter volume of orbital / temporal pole / insula area was positively correlated with subjective happiness, whereas, the gray matter volume of striate cortex was negatively correlated with subjective happiness. These results suggested the possibility that aerobic fitness capacity is associated with brain structure and psychological well-being.
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Research Products
(16 results)
