Neural mechanisms of the effects of very light intensity exercise on mood and cognitive function: an fMRI study

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K17808
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Ryutsu Keizai University
• Principal Investigator: SUWABE Kazuya 流通経済大学, スポーツ健康科学部, 准教授 (80816413)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 超低強度運動 / 気分 / 認知機能 / MRI

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The beneficial effects of physical exercise, particularly very light-intensity aerobic exercise, on mental health, including mood and cognitive function, are gradually becoming evident. Although the neural mechanisms underlying this effects have not yet been elucidated, exercise may modulate activity patterns not only in exercise-related areas but also in cognitively related areas such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The present study tried to test this hypothesis based on fMRI measurements during and before/after exercise using an MRI-compatible ergometer. Although it was difficult to analyze during exercise due to the effects of head motion, the analysis of pre- and post-exercise, excluding those with greater head motion, showed that the functional connectivity between the hippocampus and other regions, including cognitive and motor-related regions, tended to be enhanced after exercise compared with before exercise.

Free Research Field

スポーツ神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

超低強度運動が気分や認知機能を高める脳内メカニズムに関して、運動時の脳活動計測では信頼できるデータの取得、分析には至らなかったが、運動前後のデータを用いた分析から、仮説を一部支持する結果が得られた。これらの成果は、認知機能に対する運動効果の脳内メカニズム解明に向けた研究を加速させると同時に、運動時の脳活動計測に関する研究を進める上で貴重な知見となり得る。