Neural basis for reduced executive performance with hypoxic exercise

Genta Ochi; Yuhki Yamada; Kazuki Hyodo; Kazuya Suwabe; Takemune Fukuie; Kyeongho Byun; Ippeita Dan; Hideaki Soya

doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.12.091

Neural basis for reduced executive performance with hypoxic exercise

Neuroimage. 2018 May 1:171:75-83. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.12.091. Epub 2018 Jan 2.

Authors

Genta Ochi¹, Yuhki Yamada², Kazuki Hyodo², Kazuya Suwabe¹, Takemune Fukuie¹, Kyeongho Byun¹, Ippeita Dan³, Hideaki Soya⁴

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan; Department of Sports Neuroscience, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
² Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
³ Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan.
⁴ Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and Neuroendocrinology, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan; Department of Sports Neuroscience, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. Electronic address: soya.hideaki.gt@u.tsukuba.ac.jp.

PMID: 29305162
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.12.091

Abstract

While accumulating evidence suggests positive effects of exercise on executive function, such effects vary with environment. In particular, exercise in a hypoxic environment (hypobaric or normobaric hypoxia), leading to decreased oxygen supply, may dampen or cancel such effects. Thus, we further explore the relation between the effects of hypoxic exercise on executive function and their underlying neural mechanisms by monitoring changes of cortical activation patterns using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Fifteen healthy participants performed color-word Stroop tasks (CWST) before and after a 10 min bout of moderate-intensity exercise (50%V̇O_2peak) under normoxic and hypoxic conditions (fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO₂) = 0.135). During the CWST, we monitored prefrontal activation using fNIRS. CWST performance under hypoxic conditions decreased compared with normoxic conditions. In addition, CWST-related activation in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was reduced after a bout of hypoxic exercise. There was statistically significant association between decreased CWST performance and activation in the left DLPFC. These results suggest that moderate exercise under normobaric hypoxic conditions has negative effects on executive function by reducing task-related activations in the DLPFC.

Keywords: Cognitive fatigue; Functional near-infrared spectroscopy; Hypoxia; Moderate exercise; Prefrontal cortex; Stroop task.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Executive Function / physiology*
Exercise / physiology*
Female
Humans
Hypoxia / physiopathology*
Male
Prefrontal Cortex / physiopathology*
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / methods
Stroop Test
Young Adult