Executive Function Performance in Young Adults When Cycling at an Active Workstation: An fNIRS Study

Tao Huang, Qian Gu, Zhangyan Deng, Chilun Tsai, Yue Xue, Jimeng Zhang, Liye Zou, Zuosong Chen and Kun Wang
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Tao Huang: Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Qian Gu: Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Zhangyan Deng: Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Chilun Tsai: Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Yue Xue: Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Jimeng Zhang: Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Liye Zou: Lifestyle (Mind-Body Movement) Research Center, College of Sports Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Zuosong Chen: Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Kun Wang: Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of self-paced cycling at an active workstation on executive functions and cortical activity. Methods: In a crossover study design, 37 young adults (45.9% females) were randomly assigned to the following two task conditions: (1) performing cognitive tests during sitting, (2) performing cognitive tests while cycling at an active workstation. Executive functions were assessed by the Stroop color and word test and the task-switching paradigm. Cortical activity was monitored using a multi-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system. Results: The behavioral results showed that there were no significant differences on the Stroop interference effects ( P = 0.66) between the sitting and the cycling conditions. In all probability, no differences on the global switch costs ( P = 0.90) and local switch costs ( P = 0.67) were observed between the sitting and the cycling conditions. For the fNIRS results, the oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) in response to the Stroop interference in channels 5, 10, and 12 were decreased during the cycling condition (all Ps < 0.05, FDR-corrected). Conversely, the oxy-Hb associated with the global switch costs in channels 3, 29, and 31 were increased during the cycling condition (all Ps < 0.05, FDR-corrected). Conclusions: The findings indicated that behavioral performances on executive functions were not affected by cycling at an active workstation, while cognitive resources were reallocated during cycling at an active workstation.

Keywords: sedentary behavior; executive functions; active workstation; exercise; fNIRS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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