Work

Carbohydrate mouth rinse during physical activity to improve cognitive function: a randomized cross-over trial

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is a brain region responsible for executive function. Recent studies have reported that low-intensity physical activity (LPA) can activate this region and improve executive function. Carbohydrate mouth rinse (CMR), an ergogenic conditioning method in sports science, has been shown to activate the DLPFC. This study hypothesized that LPA-induced improved executive function could be synergistically enhanced by CMR. We investigated the impact of combining LPA with CMR to improve executive function. Seventeen healthy university students (eight male, nine female) participated. For LPA, instead of commonly-used exercise modalities, such as bicycle ergometers or treadmills, a seated dual-task exercise (DE) was employed that involved performing cognitive tasks and physical activity simultaneously, which is considered effective for cognitive function. Four trials were conducted using a crossover design: trial 1 control (CON), trial 2 (CON+CMR), trial 3 (DE), and trial 4 (DE+CMR). The Trail Making Test Type B (TMT-B, Japanese version) and Stroop Test (ST, Japanese version) assessed cognitive function, and CMR was administered with a 6% glucose solution four times during CON and DE. The results indicated a significant interaction in Interference Rate I of the ST, showing improved performance due to DE. An interaction was also observed in Interference Rate II, highlighting enhanced performance when DE was combined with CMR. Although no interaction was found in TMT-B, a pre-post comparison revealed improved performance in the DE+CMR trial. These findings suggest the potential for further improvement in executive function when DE is combined with CMR.

Source: The Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine

DOI: 10.7600/jpfsm.2024.031

Authors: Donghyun Kim, Tsuyoshi Wadazumi

Institution: Kansai University

Language: English

Topic: Physical Activity and Health

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $301