Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with poorer executive function. This study examined the effects of a comprehensive exercise intervention on executive function in overweight adults with mild and moderate-to-severe OSA.
Methods: Participants aged between 30 and 65 years, with a body mass index (BMI) ranging from 27 to 42 kg/m2, participated in a 6-week exercise program. Standardized polysomnographic recording methods provided total Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and level of hypoxemia. Executive function was assessed using the NIH Toolbox Flanker Inhibitory Control Test. A submaximal treadmill exercise test evaluated cardiorespiratory fitness. Participants with baseline total AHI between 5 and 14.9 events/h were classified as mild OSA and participants with baseline total AHI 15 ≥ events/h were classified as moderate-to-severe OSA.
Results: Fifteen participants completed 18 exercise sessions. Significant differences between OSA categories at baseline were observed for sleep characteristics, but not for fitness or executive function. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests showed significant increases in median values for the Flanker Test in the moderate-to-severe category only, z = 2.429, p < .015, η2 = .737.
Conclusion: Six weeks of exercise improved executive function in overweight individuals with moderate-to-severe OSA, but not in those with mild OSA.
Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea; cognitive impairment; executive function; exercise training.