Premium
The effects of exercise under hypoxia on cognitive function
Author(s) -
Ando Soichi,
Hatamoto Yoichi,
Sudo Mizuki,
Kiyonaga Akira,
Tanaka Hiroaki,
Higaki Yasuki
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.lb796
Subject(s) - hypoxia (environmental) , cognition , oxygenation , medicine , exercise intensity , cardiology , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , psychology , oxygen , heart rate , blood pressure , chemistry , psychiatry , organic chemistry
Increasing evidence suggests that cognitive function improves during a single bout of moderate exercise. In contrast, exercise under hypoxia may compromise the availability of oxygen. Given that brain function and tissue integrity are dependent on a continuous and sufficient oxygen supply, exercise under hypoxia may impair cognitive function. However, it remains unclear how exercise under hypoxia affects cognitive function. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise under different levels of hypoxia on cognitive function. Twelve participants performed a cognitive task at rest and during exercise at various fractions of inspired oxygen (FIO 2 : 0.209, 0.18, and 0.15). Exercise intensity corresponded to 60% of peak oxygen uptake under normoxia. The participants performed a Go/No‐Go task requiring executive control. Cognitive function was evaluated using the speed of response (reaction time) and response accuracy. We monitored pulse oximetric saturation (SpO 2 ) and cerebral oxygenation to assess oxygen availability. SpO 2 and cerebral oxygenation progressively decreased during exercise as the FIO 2 level decreased. However, the reaction time in the Go‐trial significantly decreased during moderate exercise under normoxia and hypoxia. Hypoxia did not affect reaction time. Neither exercise nor difference in FIO 2 level affected response accuracy. These results suggest that acute exercise improves cognitive function, and that hypoxia has no effects on cognitive function at least under the present experimental condition. We received no financial support for this study.