Activation changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) regions have been linked to acute exercise-induced improvements in cognitive performance. The type of exercise performed may influence PFC activation, and further impact cognitive function. The present study aimed to compare PFC activation during cognitive testing after moderate-intensity, high intensity, and yoga exercises, and to determine if PFC activation is linked to cognitive performance. Eight subjects (four male and four female), aged 35 ± 5 completed a control, high intensity, moderate intensity, and yoga exercises followed by administration of a cognitive task (NIH Toolbox Fluid Cognition). Left and right PFC activation (LPFC and RPFC, respectively) were evaluated by measuring hemoglobin difference (Hbdiff) changes during post-exercise cognitive assessment using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Activation during the cognitive test was higher in the LPFC after moderate intensity exercise compared to control, high intensity, and yoga (5.30 ± 6.65 vs. 2.26 ± 2.40, 2.50 ± 1.48, 2.41 ± 2.36 μM, p < 0.05, respectively). A negative relationship was detected between LPFC and processing speed after exercise. PFC activation did not align with cognitive performance. However, acute exercise, regardless of type, appeared to alter neural processing. Specifically, less PFC activation was required for a given neural output after exercise.

Behavioral therapy (BT) and exercise are efficacious treatments for depression and anxiety when employed separately. The combination of BT and exercise (BT+Ex) may augment improvements but the combined effect of these therapies is not fully elucidated. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine if BT+Ex yielded a significant reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms compared to BT alone (BT). Randomized controlled studies published prior to September 2019 were searched among several databases (PUBMED, MEDLINE, PsychArticle, and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials). Studies that measured depression and anxiety symptoms following BT+Ex vs. BT were extracted and analyzed. The effect of these therapies on depression and anxiety were analyzed. Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of exercise intensity (moderate and high), exercise type (aerobic and combined exercise), and baseline levels of depression. The moderating effects of gender, age, and treatment duration were performed. Data were extracted from 18 studies (1686 participants, mean age = 47 years, 65% female). There was a significant effect of BT+Ex on symptoms of depression. The effect of BT+Ex was significant for moderate intensity exercise and elevated baseline levels of depression. Age moderated the effect for depression. There was a significant effect of BT+Ex on depressive symptoms in humans. Exercise intensity and elevated depressive symptoms may play a role in the effect of exercise.

The purpose of this study is to measure the effects of carbohydrate ingestion during exercise in the heat by measuring markers of gastrointestinal damage and inflammation. Methods: Active subjects (n = 7) completed two 60‐min running trials in a heated environment (70% VO₂max, 30°C). At minute 20 of exercise, subjects consumed a carbohydrate gel (Cho) (27 g), or a non‐carbohydrate placebo (nCho). Plasma endotoxin, I‐FABP, TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐10, and MCP‐1 were measured pre‐exercise, 20‐min post‐exercise, and again 2‐h, and 4‐h post‐exercise. Results: Endotoxin increased 20‐min post‐exercise compared to pre in the Cho trial only (p = .03). I‐FABP levels increased 20‐min post‐exercise in the Cho trial only compared to pre‐exercise (p = .003). I‐FABP levels were also increased in Cho trial 20‐min post‐exercise when compared to same time point in the nCho trial (p = .032). TNF‐α increased 20‐min post‐exercise in the Cho trial only compared to pre (p = .03). Plasma IL‐6 concentration increased 20‐min post‐exercise when compared to pre in both the Cho (p = .002) and nCho (p = .009), but remained elevated at the 2‐h time point in the nCho trial (p = .03). I‐FABP and several plasma cytokines (TNF‐α, MCP‐1, Il‐6) returned to baseline sooner in the Cho trial. Conclusions: Ingestion of carbohydrate gel during exercise in the heat enhances markers of gastrointestinal wall damage.

Purpose Impairment caused by stroke is a major cause of disablement in older adults. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to improve physical functioning, however little research has been done to explore how PA of different intensities may affect physical function among stroke survivors. The purpose of this study was to examine the patterns of accelerometer measured PA, and the relationship between PA intensities and objective physical functioning and perceived functional limitations in stroke survivors. Methods Stroke survivors (N=30, Mean age=61.77±11.17) completed the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI). PA intensities were measured objectively using a 7-day Actigraph accelerometer wear period and scored using the NHANES cutoffs for sedentary (counts/minute ≤100), light (counts/minute 101 - 2019), and moderate to vigorous (MVPA counts/minute ≥ 2020) activity. Results Multiple linear regressions controlling for age and time since stroke demonstrated that higher levels of MVPA predicted better SPPB performance (β=.43, p=.04). For self-reported physical function, light PA predicted better basic lower extremity function (β=.45, p=.009), better advanced lower extremity function (β=.53, p=.003), better upper extremity function (β=.37, p=.04), and higher total function score (β=.52, p=.002) on the LLFDI. Conclusion These findings suggest that light activity as well as MVPA may contribute to better physical functioning in stroke survivors. While MVPA significantly predicted the objective measure of physical function (SPPB), light PA consistently predicted higher scores on all subscales of the LLFDI. Disabilities resulting from stroke may limit this population from engaging in MVPA, and these findings highlight the importance of light PA, which may offer similar perceived functional benefits. Future studies should focus on development of effective exercise interventions for stroke survivors by incorporating and comparing both MVPA and light intensity PA.

To examine the effect of oral glutamine supplementation on inflammation and fatigue during and after simulated wildland firefighting (WLFF) tasks in hot conditions over two consecutive days. Eleven men and women ingested a glutamine supplement or a placebo before and after simulated wildland firefighting in an environmental chamber (38°C, 35% relative humidity). Subjective fatigue, markers of inflammation and cellular stress were measured pre, post and 4h-post exercise on both days. Gastrointestinal damage, subjective fatigue and ratings of perceived exertion were lower after glutamine supplementation compared to placebo. HSP70 and IκBα levels were higher on both days of the glutamine trial compared to placebo. Glutamine supplementation may improve recovery after fire suppression in WLFFs. This may result from the upregulation of HSP70 which inhibits inflammation and protects against GI barrier damage.