Final Exam - Chapter 14 - Cognitive Function and Exercise

Question 1

Cognitive Function

Answer 1

Ability to perceive, recognize, or understand thoughts and ideas

Question 2

Executive Control Processes

Answer 2

Oriented toward goal directed behavior 
Include: 
-Working memory
-Interference control - ability to deal with distraction
-Task coordination
-Multi-tasking

Question 3

Measures of Executive Control

Answer 3

-Reaction time and accuracy on behavioral task
EX) Eriksen flanker test, Stroop Color and Word Test

-Electrophysiological or neuroimaging techniques
EX) fMRI

Question 4

Stroop Color and Word Test

Congruent Stimuli

Answer 4

The word is the name of the ink color in which it is printed

Question 5

Stroop Color and Word Test

Incongruent Stimuli

Answer 5

The word is the name of a color that is different from the ink color in which it is printed

Question 6

Older Adults

Answer 6

Atrophy increases with age

Corresponds with a decreases in cognitive functioning

Exercise may be able to: slow decline, prevent decline, and reverse decline

Question 7

Studies on the Effect of Regular Exercise on Cognitive Function

1. Cross-sectional/observational studies

Answer 7

• performance of long term exercisers vs. sedentary ppl
• answer questions such as “can fitness help a person maintain brain function?”

Drawbacks to these types of studies

Question 8

Studies on the Effect of Regular Exercise on Cognitive Function

2. Longitudinal/intervention studies

Answer 8

• exercise as an intervention; often sedentary individuals engaging in exercise over time
• Answer additional questions like “Can declines in cognitive functioning be reversed?”
• Drawbacks to these types of studies ?

Question 9

Observational Studies

Answer 9

Even modest levels of PA have a positive influence on cognitive functioning, including:

• executive control process
• working memory
• interference control
• task coordination
• multi-tasking

Question 10

Intervention Studies

Answer 10

• Effects on cognitive function
  
  • a significant influence of aerobic fitness training (even better with strength and flexibility)
  • executive control process were most affected

Effects on brain structure and operation

• can offset tissue decline
• positive effects on the hippocampus and the attention network

Question 11

Studies on Children and Adolescents

Answer 11

• Not as many
• Positive Relationship btwn. physical fitness or acute exercise and academic achievement
• Why is this research important?
  
  • Find ways to keep PE in schools and PA helps with academics

Question 12

Possible Mechanisms

Answer 12

• selective improvement through cardiovascular fitness
• Produces increase in growth factors (EX: synaptic plasticity, brain-derived neurotropic factor)
• Increased blood supply in brain regions