Effects of Different Exercise Strategies and Intensities on Memory Performance and Neurogenesis

Overview

Journal Front Behav Neurosci

Specialty Psychology

Date 2017 Apr 1

PMID 28360847

Citations 17

Authors

Kai Diederich

Anna Bastl

Heike Wersching

Anja Teuber

Jan-Kolja Strecker

Antje Schmidt

Jens Minnerup

Wolf-Rudiger Schabitz

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

It is well established that physical exercise affects both hippocampal neurogenesis and memory functions. Until now, distinctive effects of controlled and voluntary training (VT) on behavior and neurogenesis as well as interactions between exercise intensity, neurogenesis and memory performance are still elusive. The present study tested the impact of moderate controlled and VT on memory formation and hippocampal neurogenesis and evaluated interactions between exercise performance, learning efficiency and proliferation of progenitor cells in the hippocampus. Our data show that both controlled and VT augmented spatial learning and promoted hippocampal neurogenesis. Regression analysis revealed a significant linear increase of the amount of new hippocampal neurons with increased exercise intensity. Regression analysis of exercise performance on retention memory performance revealed a quadratic, inverted u-shaped relationship between exercise performance and retention of spatial memory. No association was found between the amount of newborn neurons and memory performance. Our results demonstrate that controlled training (CT), if performed with an appropriate combination of speed and duration, improves memory performance and neurogenesis. Voluntary exercise elevates neurogenesis dose dependently to high levels. Best cognitive improvement was achieved with moderate exercise performance.

Citing Articles

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Physical activity improves the visual-spatial working memory of individuals with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Deng J, Wang H, Fu T, Xu C, Zhu Q, Guo L Front Public Health. 2024; 12:1365589.

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