Postgraduate student N.A. Ovchinnikova²
Dr. Med., Professor L.V. Kapilevich^{1, 2, 3
1}National Research Tomsk State University, Tomsk
²National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk
³Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk

Keywords: adolescents, aerobic trainings, cognitive functions, physical activity, physical training.

Background. Many studies have found correlations between physical activity and cognitive performance [5, 8], with habitual physical trainings proved being among the key factors for sustainable cognitive progress [14]. Physical trainings keep the central nervous system alert to actively process data related to the muscular system performance with muscle contractions or relaxations, postural control data etc. – with activation of the cerebral cortex and subcortical centers, excitation and inhibition processes, strong and mobile nervous system responses [11], new intra- and intersystem connections etc. [2]. Some studies demonstrate benefits of controlled physical activity for learning progress at schools [1]. It was also found that aerobic trainings facilitate data processing in children samples [8] i.e. improve the brain performance [3].

Every aerobic training method – including swimming, jogging, intensive walking and cycling – is known to improve oxygen supply to every cell and, therefore, bring multiple benefits for the cardiovascular system performance and prevention of diseases [9] including type 2 diabetes mellitus and some specific cancers. In addition, aerobic training has been proved beneficial for neurological and cognitive functionality of children and seniors [10]. Adolescent age subject to a special analysis herein is a period of fast formation and maturation of the brain when it becomes particularly sensitive to physical activity on the whole and aerobic training in particular. Modern physical training tools may have different age-specific developmental effects on the brain from childhood to adulthood. It should be emphasized that the adolescent growth period is particularly sensitive to physical trainings with the brain, nervous system and cognitive functionality developmental effects.

Objective of the study was to theoretically analyze the available research data on the benefits of the controlled aerobic training models for cognitive progress in the adolescent growth period.

Results and discussion. Adolescent physical activity rating methods are basically dominated by progress self-rating systems, accelerometers and fitness tests [13]. Commonly accepted progress self-rating methods offer standard checklists/ questionnaires to fix the physical activity types and intensity for some time period (day, week, month and year). This method is popular due to its cost-efficiency and user friendliness, although the outcome data are often rather subjective – particularly in the adolescent samples that tend to overstate their physical activity. Physical activity rating accelerometers are much more objective and make it possible to rate physical activity for some time period (normally 7 to 10 days); whilst modern comprehensive aerobic training tests of adolescent samples yield test data on the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 peak/ VO2 max) among other things, although such objective test systems are more difficult in application and data processing as they require special equipment and longer time and may be inconvenient or uncomfortable for the samples for many reasons. Therefore, knowing the pros and cons of every accessible physical activity rating methods, analysts often have to use a few tests to fairly rate benefits of one or another physical training model for cognitive progress.

Physical activity, academic progress and cognitive functions. Many studies have reported positive correlations between physical activity, learning progress and cognitive performance in adolescents [6]. Physical activity has been found particularly beneficial for learning progress in reading and math. In addition to the general learning progress, some studies have analyzed correlations of physical trainings with progress in specific cognitive qualities and abilities including attention control, planning, problems solving skills, operational memory, and restraining controls. These cognitive abilities are considered essential both for learning progress at school and success in professional careers and social agendas on the whole. Thus a study of a large 15-year-old sample found aerobic trainings more beneficial than daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity forms in the operational reaction and accuracy improvement aspects as verified by the attention-stop and restraint control tests and analyses.

Two studies analyzed cognitive progresses in adolescent samples facilitated by standard physical exercises. The first study found the aerobic training to improve spatial control in the 15-18 year-old males, with a special progress made in a virtual spatial orienteering (Morris virtual water maze) test by a high-intensity aerobic training group versus the peer lower-intensity aerobic training group [ 7]. The second study of the 16-year-old sample found the high-intensity aerobic training group more successful in a spatial associative learning test, inhibition rating colored words stringing test and cognitive versatility rating Wisconsin cards sorting test [12].

Further aerobic training benefits rating experimental studies of the adolescent samples generated more data on the subject. Thus a 4-month physical training of a random sample (n=70 aged 12-14 years) was designed to rate the physical training intensity and types versus progress in specific cognitive skills including verbal/ non-verbal communication, abstract reasoning, spatial control and counting skills. The study found a significantly better progress in the high-intensity physical training group (trained 4 days per week with the heart rate averaging 120 beats per minute) in every tested cognitive quality versus the lower-intensity physical training peer group trained 2-4 times per week. One more study of the aerobic training fitness of a 9-10 years old sample found improvements in the spatial short-term memorizing skills for one year of trainings by the most sensitive period on the verge of adolescence.

Conclusion. On the whole, the available studies on the subject demonstrate correlations between aerobic training, brain structure and functions and cognitive qualities in the adolescent growth period. Therefore, adolescents are recommended special sporting highly-intensive aerobic activities as beneficial for both their physical health and brain structure and functionality. However, a few aspects of the aerobic training facilitated cognitive progress in this age group are still underexplored as yet – including, e.g., correlations between the controlled aerobic training and brain formation plus neurological and cognitive functions. A few recent studies have found anaerobic trainings being of special effects on the brain and behavior [4], although practical benefits of classified aerobic training still need to be substantiated on a more detailed basis.

References

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Corresponding author: kapil@yandex.ru

Abstract

Objective of the study was to theoretically analyze the available research data on the benefits of the controlled aerobic training models for cognitive progress in the adolescent growth period.

Results and conclusions. The available studies on the subject demonstrate correlations between aerobic training, brain structure and functions and cognitive qualities in the adolescent growth period. Therefore, adolescents are recommended special sporting highly-intensive aerobic activities as beneficial for both their physical health and brain structure and functionality. However, a few aspects of the aerobic training facilitated cognitive progress in this age group are still underexplored as yet – including, e.g., correlations between the controlled aerobic training and brain formation plus neurological and cognitive functions. A few recent studies have found anaerobic trainings being of special effects on the brain and behavior [4], although practical benefits of classified aerobic training still need to be substantiated on a more detailed basis.