The Impact of Exercise, Diet, and Meditation on Cognitive Function, Prefrontal Hemodynamics, Functional Connectivity, and Biochemical Parameters
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Exercise, diet, and meditation enhance physical wellness and psychological well-being, commonly boosting productivity. However, their specific effects remain limited. This study assessed these methods using cognitive changes, prefrontal cortex blood flow, brain connectivity, key blood parameters, and daily self-assessments of 46 middle-aged Indo-Europeans (22 women) engaged in intermittent fasting, cardio-strength training, or daily meditation for 8 weeks. The meditation group showed significant improvement in executive function, with an increase in task-switching reaction time (255.22 ± 317.20 ms) and enhanced heart rate variability. There was a significant decrease in creatinine concentration (5.04 ± 0.89 g/dL) and an increase in zinc concentration. The diet group experienced a significant decrease in brain oxygenation (−2.48 ± 2.50 of TSI) and an increase in leptin levels (2.15 ± 0.04 g/dL). Over 60 min of daily physical activity correlated with quicker responses. All groups demonstrated improved attention compared to controls, with decreased inhibition latency (meditation: 12.97 ± 41.99 ms, diet: 9.90 ± 49.07 ms, exercise: 16.38 ± 49.07 ms). Meditation and exercise groups showed reduced connectivity across six frequency bands. Serotonin levels dropped notably in the diet group (99.02 ± 7.04 g/dL). After 2 months, exercise and meditation showed greater benefits than diet or controls.
Source: NeuroRegulation
DOI: 10.15540/nr.11.4.355
Institutions: Georgia Institute of Technology, Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science, Harvard University, National Research University Higher School of Economics, University of Genoa, National Research University of Electronic Technology, Sechenov University, European Organization for Nuclear Research
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4405636079