Submitted by Jos? Henrique Henrique (jose.neves@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2017-04-27T18:08:23Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) vanessa_goncalves_cesar_ribeiro.pdf: 3322252 bytes, checksum: a93b547b99b52d508c5eb5111bb065f0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2017-05-16T19:39:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) vanessa_goncalves_cesar_ribeiro.pdf: 3322252 bytes, checksum: a93b547b99b52d508c5eb5111bb065f0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-16T19:39:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) vanessa_goncalves_cesar_ribeiro.pdf: 3322252 bytes, checksum: a93b547b99b52d508c5eb5111bb065f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior (CAPES) / Funda??o de Amparo ? Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico (CNPq) / A fibromialgia (FM) est? associada a altera??es na resposta inflamat?ria e estudos demonstram aumento da concentra??o de biomarcadores pr? inflamat?rios em pacientes com a doen?a. Estes biomarcadores podem induzir v?rios sintomas, tais como fadiga, falta de sono, dor e mialgia. A vibra??o de corpo inteiro (VCI) pode ser uma estrat?gia terap?utica para o tratamento dessa doen?a por ser um est?mulo de curta dura??o e baixa intensidade. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: 1) Caracterizar a intensidade do est?mulo de vibra??o de corpo inteiro em mulheres diagnosticadas com FM comparadas com o grupo de mulheres saud?veis (CT) pareados por idade e caracter?sticas antropom?tricas; e 2) Investigar o efeito de uma ?nica sess?o de VCI na resposta inflamat?ria destes grupos. As concentra??es plasm?ticas de leptina, adiponectina, resistina, receptores sol?veis do fator de necrose tumoral (sTNFR1 e sTNFR2) e BDNF foram mensuradas pelo m?todo ELISA e IL-8 por t?cnica cytrometric bead arrays (CBA) ambas conforme instru??es do fabricante. O consumo de oxig?nio (VO2) e a frequ?ncia card?aca (FC) foram registrados em repouso e durante todo o protocolo experimental. A percep??o subjetiva de esfor?o (PSE) foi registrada por meio da Escala de percep??o subjetiva de esfor?o de Borg. A sess?o aguda de VCI promoveu aumento do VO2 e FC de forma semelhante em ambos os grupos e esse est?mulo foi caracterizado como de intensidade leve. No entanto, houve intera??o (doen?a vs vibra??o) na PSE (P = 0,0078) demostrando que indiv?duos com FM apresentam maior PSE comparadas com mulheres saud?veis em repouso; al?m disso, o est?mulo de VCI promoveu aumento dessa percep??o no grupo FM, mantendo-se inalterado no grupo CT. Em repouso, os indiv?duos com FM apresentaram maiores concentra??es plasm?ticas de IL-8, de adiponectina e do receptor sol?vel de TNF, sTNFR1, e menores concentra??es plasm?ticas do receptor sol?vel sTNFR2 comparados com o grupo controle. N?o houve diferen?a entre os grupos quanto ?s concentra??es plasm?ticas de leptina, resistina e BDNF no estado basal. O est?mulo de VCI promoveu diminui??o das concentra??es plasm?ticas de adiponectina, sTNFR1e aumento das concentra??es de sTNFR2 no grupo FM. No grupo controle, o est?mulo de vibra??o promoveu aumento das concentra??es plasm?ticas de leptina, resistina e de sTNFR1. Houve intera??o (doen?a vs vibra??o) nas concentra??es plasm?ticas de adiponectina (P = 0,0001), sTNFR1 (P= 0,000001), sTNFR2 (P =0,0052), leptina (P = 0,0007), resistina (P = 0,0166) e BDNF (P = 0,0179). Os achados deste estudo s?o relevantes em termos cl?nicos uma vez que evidenciam que este est?mulo, considerado de baixa intensidade, parece ser suficiente para causar intera??o (doen?a versus est?mulo) e, consequentemente, modula??o de marcadores inflamat?rios, no sentido de ajuste da homeostase da inflama??o. O mecanismo neuroend?crino parece ser uma modula??o induzida pelo exerc?cio no sentido de maior adapta??o ? resposta inflamat?ria e de estresse destes pacientes. / Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa Multic?ntrico de P?s-gradua??o em Ci?ncias Fisiol?gicas, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2016. / Fibromyalgia (FM) is associated with neuroendocrine and inflammatory feedback dysregulation. Whole body vibration (WBV) provides an acute stimulus that could be of therapeutic value for these patients. The aims of this study were 1) to characterize the intensity of the vibration stimulation in women diagnosed with FM compared to a control group of healthy women (HW) matched by age and anthropometric parameters and 2) to investigate the effect of a single session of WBV on inflammatory responses. Levels of adipokines, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFr)1, sTNFr2, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was estimated by a portable gas analysis system measured breath by breath, heart rate (HR) was measured using a HR monitor, and perceived exertion (RPE) was evaluated using the Borg scale of perceived exertion. Acutely mild WBV increased VO2 and HR similarly in both groups. There was an interaction (disease vs. vibration) in RPE (P = 0.0078), showing a higher RPE in FM compared to HW at rest, which further increased in FM after acute WBV, whereas it remained unchanged in HW. In addition, there was an interaction (disease vs. vibration) in plasma levels of adiponectin (P = 0.0001), sTNFR1 (P = 0.000001), sTNFR2 (P = 0.0052), leptin (P = 0.0007), resistin (P = 0.0166), and BDNF (P = 0.0179). In conclusion, a single acute session of mild and short WBV can improve the inflammatory status in patients with FM, reaching values close to those of matched HW at their basal status. The neuroendocrine mechanism seems to be an exercise-induced modulation towards greater adaptation to stress response in these patients.

No description available.

Objectif: Cette étude visait à évaluer les effets aigus d’une session d’exercice aérobie sur la performance à une tâche sollicitant les fonctions cognitives exécutives et à déterminer la durée de ces effets. Méthode: Quarante-huit participants universitaires ont été divisés en deux groupes expérimentaux et un groupe contrôle. L'intervention expérimentale consistait à 30 minutes d'exercice à une intensité sous-maximale sur tapis roulant. Les deux groupes expérimentaux ont complété la tâche de Stroop soit immédiatement (groupe 1) ou 10 minutes (groupe 2) après la session d’exercice. Le groupe contrôle a complété la même tâche cognitive mais sans pratique d'exercice. Résultats: Les analyses statistiques indiquent qu’il n’y a pas d’effet d’amélioration de la performance cognitive et ce, peu importe le délai d’exécution de la tâche de Stroop suite à l’exercice. Conclusion : Une seule session d’exercice n’a aucun effet sur les fonctions exécutives. Les limites de l’étude sont présentées en relation avec les résultats obtenus. Les implications des résultats sont discutées en terme de retombées pour les recherches futures. / Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a brief bout of physical exercise on executive cognitive functions and to determine the duration of these effects. Method: Forty-eight healthy, undergraduate male students were divided into two experimental groups and one control group. The experimental intervention was a 30 minutes aerobic exercise on a treadmill. Both groups completed the Stroop test either immediately after the exercise (group 1) or 10 minutes later (group 2). The control group performed the same cognitive task but without any exercise. Results: Statistical analyses did not indicate an effect of exercise on cognitive functioning, whether the cognitive task was performed immediately or 10 minutes after the exercise. Conclusion: One bout of exercise did not influence performance on a cognitive functions task. Results are discussed in terms of methodological limitations and future research implications.

Quick work out sessions has been shown to improve students’ academic performance. Furthermore, certain cognitive functions have also been shown to improve academic performance. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate if quick work out sessions can improve certain cognitive functions and whether these functions could act as mediator variables between exercise and academic performance. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to a control group that was shown a music video (n=15) and an experiment group that was asked to use a step up exercise device (n=15). Cognitive shifting, episodic memory and perceptual speed were tested in both groups, before and after the intervention. The result didn’t show a significant effect on any cognitive function. This might be explained by the low amount of participants, considering that similar studies often have small effects.Key words: acute exercise, cognitive shifting, episodic memory, perceptual speed. / Korta träningspass har visat sig förbättra elevers skolprestation. Vidare har också vissa kognitiva förmågor visat sig förbättra skolprestation. Denna studies syfte var därför att se om korta träningspass kan förbättra vissa kognitiva förmågor och huruvida dessa förmågor då skulle fungera som mediatorvariablermellan träning och skolprestation. Trettio deltagare delades slumpmässigt in i en kontrollgrupp som fick se en musikvideo (n=15) och en experimentgrupp som fick gå upp och ner för en step up-bräda (n=15). Kognitiv skiftning, episodiskt minne och mentalt tempo testades i båda grupper, före och efter interventionen. Resultatet visade inte på någon signifikant effekt på någon kognitiv förmåga. Detta kan bero på det låga antalet deltagare, då effekter av liknande studier ofta är små.

Objectif: Cette étude visait à évaluer les effets aigus d’une session d’exercice aérobie sur la performance à une tâche sollicitant les fonctions cognitives exécutives et à déterminer la durée de ces effets. Méthode: Quarante-huit participants universitaires ont été divisés en deux groupes expérimentaux et un groupe contrôle. L'intervention expérimentale consistait à 30 minutes d'exercice à une intensité sous-maximale sur tapis roulant. Les deux groupes expérimentaux ont complété la tâche de Stroop soit immédiatement (groupe 1) ou 10 minutes (groupe 2) après la session d’exercice. Le groupe contrôle a complété la même tâche cognitive mais sans pratique d'exercice. Résultats: Les analyses statistiques indiquent qu’il n’y a pas d’effet d’amélioration de la performance cognitive et ce, peu importe le délai d’exécution de la tâche de Stroop suite à l’exercice. Conclusion : Une seule session d’exercice n’a aucun effet sur les fonctions exécutives. Les limites de l’étude sont présentées en relation avec les résultats obtenus. Les implications des résultats sont discutées en terme de retombées pour les recherches futures. / Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a brief bout of physical exercise on executive cognitive functions and to determine the duration of these effects. Method: Forty-eight healthy, undergraduate male students were divided into two experimental groups and one control group. The experimental intervention was a 30 minutes aerobic exercise on a treadmill. Both groups completed the Stroop test either immediately after the exercise (group 1) or 10 minutes later (group 2). The control group performed the same cognitive task but without any exercise. Results: Statistical analyses did not indicate an effect of exercise on cognitive functioning, whether the cognitive task was performed immediately or 10 minutes after the exercise. Conclusion: One bout of exercise did not influence performance on a cognitive functions task. Results are discussed in terms of methodological limitations and future research implications.

Lors de la systole, le ventricule gauche (VG) se déforme suite à la contraction des cardiomyocytes. De part l’orientation en spirale des fibres myocardiques, ces déformations incluent un mouvement de torsion, la base et l’apex du VG tournant dans des sens opposés. L’emmagasinement d’énergie élastique par ce mécanisme et surtout sa restitution très précoce en début de diastole jouent un rôle clé dans le remplissage ventriculaire gauche. Les objectifs de ce travail ont été d’étudier les adaptations mécaniques ventriculaires gauche en se focalisant sur le rôle de la torsion 1) lors d’un exercice d’intensité croissante chez le sujet sédentaire jeune, 2) suite à l’entrainement aérobie au repos et lors d’un exercice d’intensité croissante et, 3) concomitantes aux dysfonctions cardiaques observées après un exercice épuisant de longue durée. Pour cela, nous avons effectué des échocardiographies au repos et/ou lors d’épreuves d’effort d’intensité croissante en incluant l’utilisation d’un nouvel outil échocardiographique basé sur le "speckle tracking" (STE). Nos résultats soulignent le rôle clé de la torsion dans le couplage systole – diastole à l’effort. De plus, nos résultats montrent une modification des adaptations mécaniques ventriculaires gauche à l’effort en parallèle à l’amélioration de la fonction diastolique chez les sportifs entrainés en endurance aérobie. Enfin, la dysfonction ventriculaire gauche transitoire observée après un exercice épuisant de longue durée est caractérisée par une diminution et un décalage dans le temps de la torsion, limitant probablement la diminution précoce des pressions intraventriculaires gauche et donc le remplissage. L’ensemble de ces résultats mettent en évidence, d’une part, l’intérêt de l’évaluation par STE de la mécanique ventriculaire gauche au repos et à l’effort, et d’autre part le rôle clé du mécanisme de torsion – détorsion dans l’explication de fonctions diastoliques améliorées ou altérées / During systole, contraction of cardiomyocytes induces left ventricular (LV) strains. Moreover, the helical orientation of myofibers induces LV torsion consequently to LV basal and apical rotations. LV torsion stores energy in elastic component that is released very early in diastole and constitutes a key factor of LV filling. The aims of this thesis were to characterize LV mechanicals adaptations focussing on the role of LV torsion 1) during a progressive exercise test in healthy sedentary subjects, 2) induced by aerobic training at rest and during a progressive exercise test and, 3) concomitant with cardiac dysfunctions after prolonged and strenuous exercise. We used a novel echocardiographic tool, based on Speckle Tracking (STE), in order to evaluate LV function at rest and/or during a progressive exercise test. Our results underlined the key role of LV torsion in systolic – diastolic coupling during exercise. Moreover, our results showed an alteration of LV mechanical adaptation paralleling the enhancement of diastolic function during effort in aerobic trained subjects. At last, transient LV dysfunction after prolonged and strenuous exercise was associated with decreased and delayed LV torsion, probably limiting the early drop of LV intraventricular pressures and thus LV filling. All together, these results underlined the usefulness to evaluate LV mechanics at rest and during effort by STE, and point out the key role of twisting – untwisting mechanism in improved or depressed LV diastolic function

Although fine motor performance declines with increasing age, older adults are able to improve their performance with motor practice. However, existing studies show mixed results regarding an effect of age on the amount of learning. Moreover, less is known about how age- and learning dependent behavioral changes are reflected on a neurophysiological level. Alpha and, especially, beta power assessed using electroencephalography (EEG) represent reliable markers of neurophysiological processes during motor task performance that need more attention in aging literature. Moreover, acute cardiovascular exercise has been shown to improve motor performance and trigger motor learning processes in young adults. However, this promising approach has not been considered in aging literature so far. Furthermore, the physical fitness level seems to be positively associated with motor performance and motor learning processes. But again, less is known about this association in healthy older adults. Both approaches might help to better understand or even counteract age-related changes in fine motor performance and motor learning. To explore these research topics, two empirical studies were conducted within this dissertation project. In both studies, motor performance and motor learning were assessed on a behavioral level using a precision grip force modulation task. The force modulation task required participants to match a visually presented sinusoidal target force by applying isometric force with the thumb and index finger to a force plate. Processes on a neurophysiological level were measured with an EEG and analyzed with a main focus on (alpha and) beta power. Study 1 aimed to further characterize age-related differences in fine motor performance and motor learning on a behavioral and neurophysiological level. Furthermore, key influencing factors that determine fine motor performance and motor learning in older adults on a behavioral level were investigated. Hence, a sample of young adults and older adults performed a short-term motor learning session, conducted a cardiovascular fitness test, motor fitness tests, and strengths tests. Study 2 focused on the effects of a session of acute exercise on fine motor performance and motor learning in a sample of healthy older adults. Participants were assigned to an experimental group (performing a session of acute cardiovascular moderate intensity exercise on a stationary bicycle) or a control group (listening to an audiobook). Both groups performed a motor learning experiment over two consecutive days. Young adults outperformed older adults in terms of performance variability, temporal precision, and force precision in the force modulation task. The lower behavioral performance was accompanied by higher beta activity in parietal and occipital areas. Although results were different with respect to the analyzed parameter, overall, the amount of motor learning in the force modulation task was not diminished in older adults compared to young adults. Beta power during motor performance was not affected by motor practice. However, beta power at rest increased from pre practice to post practice, especially in older adults. Fine motor performance of older adults was increased more directly after an acute cardiovascular exercise session than after rest. Moreover, frontal beta activity was higher directly after exercise, pointing to better cognitive resources to perform the task after exercise than after rest. Third, a high cardiovascular fitness level predicted a good fine motor performance in the force modulation task in older adults. Findings of the current dissertation project enhance the understanding of age-related changes in fine motor performance and motor learning using a precision grip force modulation task. Furthermore, approaches are presented that counteract age-related changes, improve motor functions, and determine good levels of fine motor performance in healthy older adults.

De nouvelles modalités de réentrainement sont nécessaires pour les patients présentant une sévère limitation à l’exercice tels que les patients souffrant de broncho-pneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO). Le pédalage « excentrique », caractérisé par une meilleure efficience, pourrait permettre à ces patients de se réentrainer plus efficacement. Toutefois, les modalités de prescription et les effets du pédalage excentrique méritent d’être étudiés.Chez le sujet sain, nos résultats ont montré un retard de réactivation parasympathique au décours du pédalage excentrique par rapport au concentrique réalisés à même puissance mécanique, avec une influence de la fréquence de pédalage sur les réponses cardio-respiratoires et autonomes. À même puissance métabolique, le pédalage excentrique se caractérise par un stress cardio-vasculaire et respiratoire plus important que lors du pédalage concentrique, et des réponses neuro-végétatives en faveur d’une activité sympathique plus élevée. La fonction vasculaire est altérée à l’issue du pédalage excentrique. Chez le patient atteint de BPCO, comme chez le sujet sain, le pédalage excentrique a un effet tachypnéisant.Nous pensons que la tension musculaire accrue nécessaire en pédalage excentrique à l’atteinte d’une puissance métabolique équivalente à l’exercice concentrique serait à l’origine d’une plus grande activité sympathique et d’une contrainte hémodynamique périphérique, expliquant l’augmentation de la contrainte cardio-vasculaire en pédalage excentrique. / New exercise modalities are required for patients severely limited during exercise such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients (COPD). Eccentric “cycling”, characterized by better efficiency, could allow COPD patients to train more effectively. Nonetheless, prescription modalities and effects of eccentric cycling deserve to be more studied.In healthy subjects, our results showed a delayed parasympathetic reactivation after eccentric compared to concentric cycling matched for mechanical power, together with an influence of pedalling frequency on autonomic and cardiorespiratory responses. At similar metabolic power, eccentric cycling is characterized by a greater cardiovascular and respiratory stress than during concentric cycling, and altered autonomic nervous systems responses in favour to greater sympathetic activity. Vascular function is altered after eccentric cycling. In COPD patients, as in healthy subjects, eccentric cycling impose tachypneic breathing pattern.We believe that the higher muscle tension during eccentric cycling necessary to reach metabolic power similar to concentric leads to greater sympathetic activity and peripheral hemodynamic constraint, likely explaining the increased constraints on cardiovascular system during eccentric cycling.

L'objectif général de ce travail doctoral était d'étudier la plasticité de la fonction posturale à travers l’étude des effets d’un programme d'entraînement unilatéral ou d’une expérience sportive et/ou motrice. Pour cela, les effets de différents types d'exercices chroniques (volontaire et électro-induit) et aigus (tâche posturale répétée, échauffement et fatigue) ont été testés sur le contrôle postural monopodal en condition statique et dynamique. Les principaux résultats montrent que le programme d'entraînement unilatéral constitué de contractions volontaires et de contractions électro-induites n'a pas amélioré le contrôle postural du membre ipsilatéral et du membre controlatéral en dépit de l'augmentation de la force musculaire pour les deux membres chez des jeunes adultes sains non actifs. L'absence de résultat relatif au contrôle postural pourrait, principalement, être liée aux modalités et conditions des programmes d'entraînement qui n’étaient pas suffisamment proches des conditions écologiques du contrôle postural. En revanche, l'exercice aigu non-fatiguant comme l'échauffement a amélioré le contrôle postural monopodal chez des jeunes étudiants sportifs quelle que soit la jambe sur laquelle ils étaient évalués. Cependant, cette amélioration n’apparait qu’au bout de 10-15 minutes selon la jambe considérée après l'arrêt de l'exercice. Par ailleurs, chez des athlètes pratiquant des sports symétriques et asymétriques, les exercices aigus non-fatiguant comme la répétition d’une tâche posturale et l'échauffement, ont engendré des effets bénéfiques sur le contrôle postural monopodal statique et ont permis de distinguer la jambe dominante de la jambe non-dominante. En revanche, l'exercice aigu fatiguant a perturbé le contrôle postural indépendamment de la nature du sport pratiqué et de la jambe évaluée. / The overall objective of this thesis was to study the plasticity of postural function by investigating the effects of a unilateral training program or a sport and/or motor experience. Hence, the effects of various types of chronic (voluntary and electro-induced) and acute exercises (repeated postural task, warm-up and fatigue) were tested on monopodal postural control in static and dynamic conditions. The main findings show that the unilateral training program of voluntary contractions and electro-induced contractions did not improve postural control of the ipsilateral and contralateral limbs despite the increase in muscle strength for both in healthy non-active young adults. The lack of postural control outcome may be primarily related to the conditions of training programs that were not sufficiently close to the ecological conditions of postural control. In contrast, non-fatiguing high-intensity exercise such as warm-up improved monopodal postural control in young sports students regardless of which leg they were assessed. However, this improvement does not appear until 10-15 minutes according to the considered leg after stopping the exercise. Moreover, in athletes practicing symmetrical and asymmetrical sports, the non-fatiguing, acute exercises such as the repetition of a postural task and the warm-up, generated beneficial effects on the static monopodal postural control and enabled to distinguish the dominant leg of the non-dominant leg. In contrast, the fatiguing acute exercise disrupted postural control regardless of the nature of sport practiced and the leg assessed.

Les patients coronariens (PC) sont plus à risque de présenter des déficits cognitifs et certains types démence. Les fonctions cognitives des PC ont été étudiées au repos, mais jamais au cours d’une séance d’exercice aigu. L’exercice aigu à haute intensité peut affecter négativement la performance cognitive chez des personnes saines. Bien que les PC soient plus à risque de dysfonctions cérébrales et cardiovasculaires, cette relation n’a jamais été étudiée au sein de cette population clinique et peut permettre de mieux comprendre l’axe coeur-cerveau. Il était postulé que la performance cognitive sera affectée par l’exercice à haute intensité due à une diminution de l’apport en oxygène seulement chez les patients coronariens. Trente-huit PC et 16 participants sains ont été recrutés. Les participants ont complété les mesures suivantes : (1) des tests neuropsychologiques et une familiarisation à la tâche de Stroop modifiée informatisée (2) un test mesurant la consommation d’oxygène jusqu’au pic de l’effort (VO2pic) et (3) la tâche de Stroop à 30% et 70% de leur puissance maximale atteinte au VO2pic tout en pédalant sur un ergomètre. L’oxygénation cérébrale a été mesurée grâce à la spectroscopie proche infrarouge. Les résultats ont démontré que la performance cognitive est restée stable entre les deux intensités pour les deux groupes. Chez les PC, le volume sanguin cérébral était affecté négativement par l’effort physique à haute intensité comparativement à l’intensité modérée et aux participants sains. La maladie coronarienne affecte négativement l’oxygénation cérébrale pendant un effort à haute intensité. D’autres études sont nécessaires afin de déterminer si un test cognitif administré pendant un effort physique pourrait permettre d’identifier les patients coronariens à risque de déclin cognitif. / Coronary heart disease (CHD) patients are at higher risk for developing cognitive deficits and certain types of dementia. The cognitive functions of coronary patients have been studied at rest, but never during an acute exercise session. Acute high intensity exercise negatively affects cognitive performance in healthy people. Although coronary patients are at higher risk of cerebral and cardiovascular dysfunction, this relationship has never been studied in this clinical population and could help better understanding of the heart-brain axis. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of an acute exercise at two different intensities on cognitive performance and cerebrovascular response in CHD patients. It was hypothesized that higher exercise intensity will impair executive performance and cerebrovascular response only in CHD patients. Thirty-eight CHD patients and 16 healthy controls completed neuropsychological assessments, maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing and two exercise bouts at 30% and 70% of their individualized maximum capacity on an ergocycle while performing a cognitive test including non-executive and executive conditions. Cerebral oxygenation and perfusion were measured during both intensities in all participants with near-infrared spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the cognitive performance remained stable between the two intensities for both groups. In CHD patients only, cerebral blood volume was negatively affected by high intensity exercise compared with moderate intensity. Coronary heart disease negatively affects cerebral oxygenation during high intensity exercise. Further studies are needed to determine whether a cognitive test administered during physical exertion could identify coronary patients at risk of cognitive decline.