The Effects of Cardiovascular Fitness on Cognition in Young Adults

Ian Frazier

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Harley, Heidi

Keywords

Cognition, Exercise, Fitness

Area of Concentration

Psychology

Abstract

This study examines the effects of cardiovascular fitness on cognition in young adults. Research has found beneficial fitness effects on cognition in studies on rats and elderly adults and acute beneficial exercise effects on young adults/athletes. Results from these studies indicate that both increased amounts of oxygenated blood to the brain and increased brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) caused by aerobic fitness lead to cognitive improvements in rats and the elderly. Whether these effects occur in young adults, a population that does not have the BDNF deficits that occur in the elderly, is unknown. In this study, 50 undergraduate students performed a battery of cognitive tests to evaluate their working and reference memory capacities and aspects of their executive functioning. After cognitive testing, participants� cardiovascular fitness levels were determined through indirect measures of VO2-max. Results from the cognitive tests were not significantly correlated with VO2 max levels thereby suggesting that exercise improves cognitive functioning in the elderly because it raises their BDNF levels.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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