Open AccessAssociation between brain morphometry and aerobic fitness level and sex in healthy emerging adults
Author(s) -
Natasha E. Wade,
A. Wallace,
Ryan M. Sullivan,
Ann M. Swartz,
Krista M. Lisdahl
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0242738
Subject(s) - precuneus , cuneus , aerobic exercise , psychology , brain size , medicine , anatomy , magnetic resonance imaging , functional magnetic resonance imaging , neuroscience , radiology
Objective Aerobic fitness may be beneficial for neuroanatomical structure. However, few have investigated this in emerging adults while also accounting for potential sex differences. Here we examine aerobic fitness level, sex, and their interaction in relation to cortical thickness, surface area, and volume. Method Sixty-three young adults between the ages of 16–26 were balanced for sex and demonstrated a wide range of aerobic fitness levels. Exclusion criteria included left-handedness, past-year independent Axis-I disorders, major medical/neurologic disorders, prenatal medical issues, prenatal alcohol/illicit drug exposure, or excessive substance use. Participants completed an MRI scan and a graded exercise test to volitional fatigue (VO 2 max). Data analyses were run in Freesurfer and data was corrected for multiple comparisons with Monte Carlo simulations at .05. Results Males demonstrated higher VO 2 values. Higher VO 2 values were statistically independently related to thinner lateral occipital, superior parietal, cuneus, precuneus, and inferior parietal regions, smaller lateral occipital volume, and larger inferior parietal surface area. Compared to females, males had larger volume in rostral anterior cingulate, lateral occipital, and superior frontal regions, and greater surface area in fusiform, inferior parietal, rostral and caudal anterior cingulate, and superior parietal regions. VO 2 *Sex interactions revealed higher-fit females had higher inferior parietal, paracentral, and supramarginal surface area, while lower-fit males showed larger surface area in these same regions. Conclusions Individuals with higher aerobic fitness performance had thinner cortices, lower volume, and larger surface area in sensorimotor regions than lower fit individuals, perhaps suggesting earlier neuromaturation in higher fit individuals. Larger surface area was associated with higher-fit females and lower-fit males. Thus both sex and aerobic fitness are important in shaping brain health in emerging adults.