Influences of Kinesthetic Information during Exercise on Cognitive Functions of the Elderly

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26350812
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Sports science
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: NISHIHIRA Yoshiaki 筑波大学, 体育系, 名誉教授 (20156095)
• Research Collaborator: FUKUMOTO Hiroyuki
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 有酸素運動 / 認知機能テスト / 注意機能 / 体性感覚誘発電位 / 高強度筋感覚情報 / 中枢内感覚経路 / 高齢者 / 軽度認知障害者

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to clarify the influences of somatosensory information, such as that provided by muscles, on cognitive functions, as well as brain areas receiving it, using: somatosensory evoked potentials that facilitate the objective measurement of sensory information received by the brain, P300 potentials useful for cognitive function analysis, N140 potentials reflecting attention, and cognitive function testing, as a basis for effective exercise therapy to improve the cognitive functions of the elderly and those with mild cognitive impairment. The results highlighted the necessity of not only aerobic exercise, but also high-intensity exercise to be performed with 40 to 50% of the maximal muscle strength to improve and restore their cognitive functions.

Free Research Field

運動生理学