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Physical fitness helps attenuate age-related declines in cognitive function. Discuss. - page 8
Keywords: Physical fitness reduce age-related ageing declines cognitive function. Discuss. brain performacne
By Suzanna on 22/06/2010
Level: Bachelor Honours Degree (BA, BEng, BSc etc)
Page Number: 8 of 12 pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12distinction, Nessier, 1998 pointed out that what is age-related and what is not age-related cognitive function is still somewhat questionable.
Physical fitness is proposed to be a measure of cardiovascular efficiency. That is, aerobic fitness, which is calculated as VO2Max (ACSN, 2006). Physical fitness can be acquired through various sport activities, such as running, hockey and swimming. Essentially, physical fitness illustrates how efficiency oxygen and glucose are transported around the body. As we shall see later, major problem concerning the validity of studies is that not all measure VO2Max to assess physical fitness. Cognitive function is related to perception, memory, and language, problem solving and thinking . Usually psychometric tests (intelligence e.g. WAIS) or lab tests (e.g. attention and memory) are used to test the above factors (Tomporowski 1997). Thought such methods are useful there is often a distinction between tests which is potentially problematic. For instance some tests result in automatic reactions and others require more effort (Colombe & Kramer 2003). Ultimately the outcome of the differences will depend on the individual. This might explain the inconsistently in results and so the confusion surrounding the topic.
So then, by what mechanism does physical fitness have an impact on cognitive function? It is found that increased physical activity leads to increased efficient of the cardiovascular system. The result of this is more oxygen in the blood stream as well as better transmission of oxygen to the cells. Consequently, glucose is more easily broken and is therefore more easily available to be used and so the potential for physical exertion is increased. So how is this linked to aged related-decline? One study by Melamed et al, showed that cortical blood flow (which is related to the flow of blood to the cortical region which plays a major role in cognitive function) may decrease by as much as 30% with increased age. As established, aerobic exercise leads to increased blood flow which in theory leads to increased cognition. Furthermore, the evidence that the cortical region my decrease by as much as 30% suggests that the elderly may benefit considerably from aerobic exercise. Nevertheless the physical limitations of the elderely make it inappropriate for them to engage in strenuous exercise regimes that are likely to have a significant impact on the cortical blood flow.
In conclusion to the above, in theory, it seems that aerobic exercise would help to reduce age-related cognitive decline,
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