Cardiovascular endurance linked to better brain health in aging women, study finds

An analysis of data from the Human Connectome Project found that older individuals tended to have lower brain gray matter volume and cortical thickness. However, among women (but not men) who maintained good cardiovascular endurance, this association was less pronounced. The research was published in Brain and Behavior.

Cardiovascular endurance, also known as cardiorespiratory endurance, refers to the ability of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels to deliver oxygen to working muscles during sustained physical activity. It is a critical component of overall physical fitness and health, allowing individuals to engage in prolonged exercise or physical exertion without undue fatigue.

This type of endurance is developed through activities that elevate the heart rate, such as running, swimming, cycling, or rowing. Over time, such training leads to adaptations in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, enhancing the heart’s ability to pump blood and improving oxygen uptake in the lungs. Cardiovascular endurance is essential not only for athletes but also for the general population, as it improves performance in both sports and daily tasks, while contributing to overall well-being. Enhanced cardiovascular endurance is also associated with reduced risks of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Study author Junyeon Won and his colleagues aimed to explore the connection between cardiovascular endurance and the neurodegenerative processes that occur with aging. As people grow older, the brain typically experiences a decline in volume and weight, primarily due to neuron loss and changes in neurotransmitter levels. These changes can impair cognitive functions such as memory and processing speed.

The researchers hypothesized that higher cardiovascular endurance might mitigate the age-related decline in cortical thickness and brain volume. They also expected this relationship to be more pronounced in women.

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The team analyzed data from the Human Connectome Project Young Adult and Aging Lifespan datasets. Participants from the Young Adult dataset were between 22 and 35 years old, while those in the Aging Lifespan dataset were 36 years and older. The final analysis included data from 1,692 adults.

Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Washington University, along with a 2-minute walk test and a 4-meter gait test, which were used to assess cardiovascular endurance. They also provided demographic information.

The results showed that older individuals generally had lower brain volume and mean cortical thickness. Mean cortical thickness refers to the average thickness of the cerebral cortex, the brain’s outer layer. This association persisted even after adjusting for sex, education level, body mass index, intracranial volume, and several other variables.

In men, older age was linked to lower gray and white matter volumes as well as reduced cortical thickness, regardless of cardiovascular endurance. In contrast, among women, the negative association between age and gray matter volume and mean cortical thickness was attenuated for those with higher cardiovascular endurance.

“Greater CE [cardiovascular endurance] over the adult lifespan is associated with preservation of cortical thickness and brain volume, particularly in women,” the  study authors concluded.

The study sheds light on the links between cardiovascular endurance and brain health. However, it should be noted that the design of the study does not allow any causal inferences to be derived from the results. Additionally, since this was not a longitudinal study it remains unclear whether the observed associations represent differences between generations or age-related changes.

The paper, “Age and Sex-Related Differences in Neuroprotective Effects of Cardiovascular Endurance on Cortical Thickness and Brain Volume in Adults Across Age,” was authored by Junyeon Won, Marissa Gogniat, and J. Carson Smith.