動的運動は認知機能を向上させうるか？

抄録

To examine whether acute dynamic exercise could improve cognitive function and the changes in cerebral blood flow of the frontal brain were associated with improved cognitive function, a Stroop color-word test (SCWT) was performed in 12 adults before and after cycling exercise at 20%, 40%, and 60% of maximum voluntary exercise. In SCWT, the subjects were asked to answer a displayed color of a word, which meant "the different color". The total time and the number of errors for 100 SCWT trials were recorded as index of cognitive function. We measured the concentration of oxy-hemoglobin (O₂Hb) in the frontal brain with near-infrared spectroscopy to monitor local cerebral blood flow. 40%- and 60%-exercise for 15 min shortened the total time for SCWT and increased O₂Hb, though 20%-exercise did not alter both of them. The number of error was not altered by any intensity of exercise. The increase in O₂Hb started 5 min after the onset of the exercise and was sustained during and after exercise. When the duration of 40%-exercise was shortened to 5 min, both total time for SCWT and O₂Hb were not altered. These results suggest that acute dynamic exercise at a moderate intensity for a longer period of 15 min, but not 5 min, is able to improve cognitive function and the improved cognitive function may be associated with increased cerebral blood flow of the frontal brain. [J Physiol Sci. 2008;58 Suppl:S145]