Aging is associated with a decline in cognitive and psychomotor functions, resulting in difficulties with daily activities such as
driving. Cognitive function has been found to be associated with arterial stiffening. These age-related decrements can be mitigated through
routine aerobic exercise. To determine the effects of life-long aerobic exercise on cognitive function, driving performance, and
cardiovascular health (i.e., arterial stiffness and thickness) among older adults (65 – 84 years old). A cross-sectional design was utilized
to compare 27 endurance-trained older adults with 35 sedentary counterparts. Driving performance and cognitive function were measured via
driving simulator and a cognitive battery, respectively. Cardiovascular health was assessed via a perceptually-regulated exercise test,
carotid-intima media thickness (IMT) via Doppler ultrasound, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV). Fitness comparisons were made
using an independent sample t-test. Cognitive function and driving performance scores were transformed to Z-scores. VO2max was higher in the
endurance-trained group compared to the sedentary group (41±9 vs 25±3 ml/kg/min, p<.01). There were no differences between the groups in
cf-PWV (12±2 vs. 12±2 m/s), carotid-IMT (.74±.15 vs .76±.13 mm), nor cognitive function scores (-.01±.57 vs -.09±.97). However, the
endurance-trained group performed better on the driving simulator (.18±.58 vs -.28±.92, p<.05). Enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness may
mitigate age-related decrements to driving performance. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester 2017. / November 8, 2017. / Includes bibliographical references. / Gershon Tenenbaum, Professor Directing Dissertation; Lynn Panton, University Representative; Graig
Michael Chow, Committee Member; Yanyun Yang, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_604990 |
| Contributors | Mason, Justin Richard (author), Tenenbaum, Gershon (professor directing dissertation), Panton, Lynn B. (university representative), Chow, Graig Michael (committee member), Yang, Yanyun (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Education (degree granting college), Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems (degree granting departmentdgg) |
| Publisher | Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text, doctoral thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (123 pages), computer, application/pdf |
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