The Relationship of Physical Activity Level With Arterial Stiffness, Cerebral Blood Flow, and Cognitive Function in Young Adults

Abstract

PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the relationship of physical activity level with arterial stiffness, cerebral blood flow, and cognitive function in young adults. METHODS Forty-six young adults participated in this cross-sectional study. Physical activity levels were assessed for seven consecutive days using accelerometers. To assess arterial stiffness, the carotid–femoral artery pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and augmentation index (AIx) were measured. Cognitive function was assessed using the Stroop Color-Word test, and cerebral blood flow was evaluated using near-infrared spectroscopy devices during the cognitive function test. RESULTS AIx was inversely associated with axis-1 counts, vector magnitude counts, moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) time, and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) time (r≤-0.31, p≤.04). The AIx adjusted to the heart rate of 75 beats per minute was inversely correlated with axis-1 counts, vector magnitude counts, step counts, MPA time, and MVPA time (r≤-0.33, p≤.03). There was no relationship between cfPWV and physical activity level parameters (r≤0.10, p≥.51). The difference between oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin levels was positively related to axis-1 counts, step counts, MPA time, and MVPA time (r≥0.31, p≤.04). Regarding cognitive function, the response time for the presented words was negatively associated with step counts (r=−0.42, p<.01) and MPA time (r=−0.29, p=.048), and response time on the presented words with matched color was negatively related to step counts (r=−0.31, p=.04). CONCLUSIONS More physically active adults are more likely to have lower arterial stiffness, increased brain oxygenation, and better cognitive function, even if they are young and healthy.

Keywords

• physical activity
• arterial stiffness
• cerebral blood flow
• cognitive function