Week 4

Question 1

What is cognitive function?

Answer 1

Intellectual processes controlled by the brain

Question 2

What is major neurocognitive disorders?

Answer 2

Progressive brain disease e.g. dementia

Question 3

Give an example of a study for age related cognitive decline

Answer 3

Comparison of 60 males grouped by age/activity status
Reaction time tested
Old non active slow RT (22.5% slower than old active)
Old active approx the same as young non active
Young active quickest reaction time

Question 4

In a meta analysis of 18 randomised control trials of exercise training on cognitive function in older adults, what was shown?

Answer 4

Measured;

• executive function
• controlled processing
• spatial processing
• speed

Exercise group higher than control for all factors

Most significant increase for executive functioning skills

Question 5

What is dementia?

Answer 5

Progressive disturbance of multiple cognitive functions (memory, recognition, comprehension, language)

Often associated with deterioration in emotional control and social behaviour

In later stages there may be frailty, walking difficulties, psychotic symptoms (e.g. delusions)

Question 6

Dementia risk factors

Answer 6

13% of cases attribute to physical inactivity
10% reduction in inactivity would save 380,000 cases
Other risk factors include smoking, depression, obesity, cognitive inactivity

Question 7

What did met analysis of 18 randomised control trials of older adults with dementia show?

Answer 7

Interventions include walking, aerobic training, strength, flexibility.

Small cognitive improvements demonstrated for interventions involving aerobic forms of exercise.

Question 8

What were the physical function outcomes in a study with 134 nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s?

Answer 8

Group exercise - 2 x 60m / wk for 12m
Control group - usual care for 12m

Large improvement in walking speed in expertise group
Slower decline in activities of daily living in exercises
No increased risk to safety (e.g. falls) in exercise group

Question 9

What are the impacts of exercise on academic achievement?

Answer 9

4755 children age 11
5y follow up - GCSE exam results
Accelerometer measures of mod/vig PA

MVPA at 11y predicted English, maths, science GCSE results (every 15 min exercise associated with 1/4 grade improvement)

Question 10

What PA opportunities are there for children?

Answer 10

PE 
School sport
Physically active lessons 
Active travel to school 
Outside break times 
Active breaks in classroom

Question 11

What is physically active across the curriculum (PAAC)?

Answer 11

24 elementary schools in Kansas randomised for 3y
PAAC - 10 min bouts of MVPA during lessons (90min/wk) plus usual 1hr PE lesson/wk

MVPA 27% higher in PAAC schools (accelerometer assessed)
Overall academic scores higher in PAAC schools

Question 12

What is the proposed pathway to academic achievement?

Answer 12

PA (fitness, sport participation) leads to
(Consistent evidence)
Cognitive functions (attention, memory, executive function) leads to
(Mixed evidence)
Meta cognition (strategies, procedural/declarative knowledge) leads to

Academic achievement (grades, classroom behaviour)

Question 13

What conclusions can be drawn from the effects of PA on academic achievement?

Answer 13

Positive effects on cognitive functions
No adverse impact on concentration or academic achievement
Unclear if different benefits of structured exercise or classroom breaks

Question 14

What is exergaming?

Answer 14

Potential augmented effect of combining vide gaming with exercise

Exercise - movements and exertional demands
Gaming - perceptual and motor demands

Early research considered encouraging for benefit on cognitive health particularly executive functioning