Yael Netz1, Tzvi Dwolatzky2, Abid Khaskia3, Ayelet Dunsky1. 1. The Wingate College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Wingate Institute, Israel. 2. Department of Geriatrics and Memory Clinic, Mental Health Center, Beer Sheva, Israel Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. 3. Cardiac Rehabilitation, Meir Medical Center, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular fitness is associated with cognition in advanced age. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a risk factor for cognitive decline beyond the normal aging process, thus we investigated this association in CVD patients. METHOD: Patients in phase III of cardiac rehabilitation were divided into high and low cardiovascular fitness groups based on their predicted peak VO2. Cognition was assessed by a battery of neuropsychological tests examining memory, attention, visual spatial function, executive function and global cognitive score. RESULTS: The two groups were similar on reported physical activity and on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). However, the high fitness group had significantly higher scores than the lower fitness group on attention and on the global cognitive score, and marginally significant scores on executive functioning. LIMITATION: Due to the small sample size no differentiation was made among the various CVD conditions. CONCLUSION: Higher cardiovascular fitness of CVD patients is associated with superior cognition - predominantly in attention and executive functioning.
BACKGROUND:Cardiovascular fitness is associated with cognition in advanced age. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a risk factor for cognitive decline beyond the normal aging process, thus we investigated this association in CVD patients. METHOD:Patients in phase III of cardiac rehabilitation were divided into high and low cardiovascular fitness groups based on their predicted peak VO2. Cognition was assessed by a battery of neuropsychological tests examining memory, attention, visual spatial function, executive function and global cognitive score. RESULTS: The two groups were similar on reported physical activity and on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). However, the high fitness group had significantly higher scores than the lower fitness group on attention and on the global cognitive score, and marginally significant scores on executive functioning. LIMITATION: Due to the small sample size no differentiation was made among the various CVD conditions. CONCLUSION: Higher cardiovascular fitness of CVDpatients is associated with superior cognition - predominantly in attention and executive functioning.
Authors: David W Goldstein; Alexandra M Hajduk; Xuemei Song; Sui Tsang; Mary Geda; John A Dodson; Daniel E Forman; Harlan Krumholz; Sarwat I Chaudhry Journal: J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev Date: 2022-03-01 Impact factor: 2.081