Associations of cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity, and arterial stiffness with cognition in youth

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To investigate the associations of cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity, and arterial stiffness with cognition in 16‐ to 19‐year‐old adolescents. Methods Fifty four adolescents (35 girls; 19 boys) participated in the study. Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) and peak power output (Wmax) were measured by the maximal ramp test on a cycle ergometer and ventilatory threshold (VT) was determined with ventilation equivalents. Lean mass (LM) and body fat percentage (BF%) were measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao) and augmentation index (AIx%) were measured by a non‐invasive oscillometric device. Working memory, short term memory, visual learning and memory, paired‐associate learning, attention, reaction time, and executive function were assessed by CogState tests. Results V̇O2peak/LM (β = 0.36 p = .011) and Wmax/LM (β = 0.30 p = .020) were positively associated with working memory. Wmax/LM was also positively associated with visual learning (β = 0.37, p = .009). V̇O2 at VT/LM was positively associated with working memory (β = 0.30 p = .016), visual learning (β = 0.31 p = .026), and associated learning (β = −0.27 p = .040). V̇O2 at VT as % of V̇O2peak, BF%, PWVao, and AIx% were not associated with cognition. Conclusion Cardiorespiratory fitness was related to better cognitive function, while BF% and arterial stiffness were not associated with cognition in adolescents.

Keywords

• adolescent
• aerobic capacity
• arterial health
• body composition
• cognitive functions
• vascular stiffness