Exercise enhances aspects of human cognition, but its intensity may matter. Recent research in animal models suggests that vigorous exercising may be optimal as it releases greater amounts of lactate, which in turn, activates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus to support cognitive function. Furthermore, the effects of exercise on cognition may be augmented when exercise is combined with cognitive training. The sport of orienteering simultaneously combines exercise with spatial navigation and therefore may result in greater cognitive benefits than exercising only, especially when performed at a vigorous intensity. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of an acute bout of orienteering at different intensities compared to exercising only on cognition and BDNF. We hypothesized that vigorous-intensity orienteering would increase lactate and BDNF and improve cognition more than moderate-intensity orienteering, or vigorous exercise alone. To test this, we recruited 63 recreationally active, healthy young adults (Mage = 21.10±2.75 years) with no orienteering experience. The orienteering groups navigated a 1.3km orienteering course while exercising at either a vigorous (80-85% of HRR) or moderate (40-50% of HRR) intensity. The control group exercised at a vigorous intensity on the same course without navigation. Peak lactate, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion during the intervention were used to verify exercise intensity. Immediately before and after the intervention, serum BDNF was extracted, and cognitive function was assessed using the Mnemonic Similarity Task for high-interference memory and the Groton Maze Learning Test for spatial learning and memory. The results show that exercising (M = 5.35±2.52 mmol/L) and orienteering (M = 5.94±2.49) at a vigorous intensity elicited greater peak lactate levels than orienteering at a moderate intensity (M = 2.01±1.20). Vigorous exercise (p = .003) and orienteering (p = .043) elicited greater increases in BDNF, and individuals with higher peak lactate had greater increases in BDNF (rs (56) = .28, p = .037). Vigorous exercise also benefited high-interference memory compared to moderate orienteering (p = .019). All groups increased in spatial learning (p’s < .05), but only the vigorous orienteering group improved in delayed spatial memory performance (p = .007). Overall, the results provide evidence for the beneficial effects of combined exercise plus navigation training interventions for spatial cognitions that are closely related to the process engaged during cognitive training. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/29103 |
| Date | January 2023 |
| Creators | Waddington, Emma |
| Contributors | Heisz, Jennifer, Kinesiology |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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