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Regular Moderate- to Vigorous-Intensity Physical Activity Rather Than Walking Is Associated with Enhanced Cognitive Functions and Mental Health in Young Adults

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  • Takumi Nakagawa

    (Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan)

  • Ibuki Koan

    (Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan)

  • Chong Chen

    (Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan)

  • Toshio Matsubara

    (Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan)

  • Kosuke Hagiwara

    (Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan)

  • Huijie Lei

    (Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan)

  • Masako Hirotsu

    (Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan)

  • Hirotaka Yamagata

    (Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan)

  • Shin Nakagawa

    (Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan)

Abstract

The beneficial effect of physical activity (PA) on the brain has been well established. Both acute and regular PA can boost a range of cognitive functions and enhance mood and mental health. Notably, the effect of acute PA on the brain and cognitive functions is generally found to be dose-dependent, in terms of both the amount and intensity of the exercise episode. In contrast, in the case of regular PA, the literature has primarily focused on the amount of exercise, and limited studies have assessed the influence of the exercise intensity. Since PA in higher intensity causes more extensive, more powerful, and longer-lasting neurobiological changes, it may prove more beneficial to cognitive functions and mental health. In the present study, we set out to test this hypothesis by employing a battery of questionnaires and laboratory tests with a sample of young adults. We found that more frequent vigorous- and moderate-intensity PA rather than walking (considered low to moderate intensity) was associated with better cognitive and mental health measures. Meanwhile, compared with no moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) at all, as few as 1~2 days per week (lasting at least 10 min each time) of MVPA was associated with a variety of benefits, particularly related to coping with challenging situations. In light of the neurobiological literature, the present study speaks to the value of moderate- to vigorous- rather than low-intensity PA in enhancing cognitive functions and mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Takumi Nakagawa & Ibuki Koan & Chong Chen & Toshio Matsubara & Kosuke Hagiwara & Huijie Lei & Masako Hirotsu & Hirotaka Yamagata & Shin Nakagawa, 2020. "Regular Moderate- to Vigorous-Intensity Physical Activity Rather Than Walking Is Associated with Enhanced Cognitive Functions and Mental Health in Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:2:p:614-:d:310220
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lu, Jackson G. & Akinola, Modupe & Mason, Malia F., 2017. "“Switching On” creativity: Task switching can increase creativity by reducing cognitive fixation," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 63-75.
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    1. Carlos Martínez-Mirambell & Salvador Boned-Gómez & Mayra Urrea-Solano & Salvador Baena-Morales, 2023. "Step by Step towards a Greener Future: The Role of Plogging in Educating Tomorrow’s Citizens," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-15, September.
    2. Salvador Baena-Morales & Daniel Jerez-Mayorga & Pedro Delgado-Floody & Jesús Martínez-Martínez, 2021. "Sustainable Development Goals and Physical Education. A Proposal for Practice-Based Models," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Samantha Moss & Xiaoxia Zhang & Ziyad Ben Taleb & Xiangli Gu, 2024. "The Associations of Physical Activity and Health-Risk Behaviors toward Depressive Symptoms among College Students: Gender and Obesity Disparities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-11, March.

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