Effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive function in adults with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder that impairs the cognitive function of individuals. Aerobic exercise stands out as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for enhancing cognitive function and promoting brain health.While positive impacts of aerobic exercise on executive function in adults with depression have been documented, a comprehensive understanding of its benefits on overall cognitive function, including memory, attention, and processing speed, along with key moderating factors in adults with MDD, remains unexplored. The purpose of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on overall cognitive function in adults with MDD, and to explore whether cognitive sub-domains, aerobic exercise characteristics, and study and sample variables modify the effects of aerobic exercise on cognition. Methods: Six English electronic databases (Embase, Cochrane Central, Scopus, APA PsycInfo, PubMed, Web of Science) were searched from inception to 2 April 2023. Randomized trials, including adults aged 18 years or above with a diagnosis of clinical depression, of the effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive function in adults with MDD compared to non-aerobic exercise groups were included. A three-level meta-analysis was conducted utilizing a random-effects model in R. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42022367350. Results: Twelve randomized trials including 945 adults with MDD were included. Results indicated that aerobic exercise significantly improved overall cognitive function (g = 0.21; 95 % confidence intervals [CI] = 0.07, 0.34), and the sub-domains of memory (g = 0.25; 95 % CI = 0.06, 0.44) and executive function (g = 0.12; 95 % CI = 0.04, 0.20). Significant benefits in cognitive function were found from moderate-to-vigorous (mixed) intensity (g = 0.19; 95 % CI = 0.02, 0.37), aerobic exercise conducted 3 times per week (g = 0.23; 95 % CI = 0.10, 0.38), in sessions < 45 min (g = 0.59; 95 % CI = 0.28, 0.90), and 45-60 min (g = 0.16; 95 % CI = 0.07, 0.26), in aerobic exercise intervention ≤ 12 weeks (g = 0. 26; 95 % CI = 0.08, 0.44). Limitations: This review only included peer-reviewed English-language studies, which may lead to a language bias. The results of the Egger's test suggested a potential publication bias. Conclusions: Aerobic exercise is efficacious in improving overall cognitive function and the sub-domains of memory and executive function in adults with major depressive disorder.

Acute Exercise Effect on Neurocognitive Function Among Cognitively Normal Late-Middle-Aged Adults With/Without Genetic Risk of AD: The Moderating Role of Exercise Volume and APOE Genotype.

BACKGROUND: Acute exercise is a behavior that benefits cognitive function; however, its effect on populations with different risks for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the role of exercise variance and Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype on this effect remains unknown. This study explores the acute exercise effect on behavioral and neurocognitive function, and its potential moderation by exercise intensity and duration and APOE genetic risk. METHODS: Fifty-one cognitively normal adults (~36% APOE ε4 carriers) performed the Stroop task under a rest condition and 3 exercise conditions while electroencephalographic activity was assessed. RESULTS: Acute exercise improved cognitive performance assessed through both behavioral and neuroelectrical indices. These benefits were observed regardless of adjustments of intensity and duration at a predetermined exercise volume as well as being evident irrespective of APOE ɛ4 carrier status. CONCLUSIONS: Acute exercise could be proposed as a lifestyle intervention to benefit neurocognitive function in populations with and without genetic risk of AD. Future exploration should further the precise exercise prescription and also the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of acute exercise for neurocognitive function. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05591313.

Acute effect of breathing exercises on muscle tension and executive function under psychological stress.

Introduction: Intensive and long-lasting office work is a common cause of muscular and mental disorders due to workplace stressors. Mindful and slow breathing exercises decrease psychological stress and improve mental health, whereas fast breathing increases neuronal excitability. This study aimed to explore the influence of 5 min of mindful breathing (MINDFUL), slow breathing (SLOW), fast breathing (FAST), and listening to music (MUSIC) on muscle tension and executive function during an intensive psychological task. Methods: Forty-eight participants (24 men and 24 women) were enrolled. Muscle tension was recorded using surface electromyography, and executive function was assessed using the Stroop Color and Word Test (Stroop Test). The respiration rate (RR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2), and the subjects' preferred method were also recorded. During the experiment, participants performed a one-time baseline test (watching a neutral video for 5 min) and then completed 5 min of MUSIC, MINDFUL, SLOW, and FAST in a random sequence. The Stroop Test was performed after each intervention, including the baseline test, and was followed by a 5 min rest before performing the next intervention. Results: None of the methods significantly influenced muscular activity and performance of the Stroop Test in both men and women, based on the average 5 min values. However, at the fifth minute, men's accuracy rate in the Stroop Test was significantly higher after SLOW than after MUSIC and FAST, and the reaction time after the SLOW was the shortest. SpO2 was significantly higher during SLOW than during MUSIC, and RR was relatively lower after SLOW than after MUSIC. Most men preferred SLOW, and most women preferred MUSIC, whereas FAST was the most unfavorable method for both men and women. Conclusion: Brief breathing exercises did not substantially affect muscle tension under psychological stress. SLOW demonstrated greater potential for sustaining executive function in men, possibly via its superior respiration efficiency on SpO2 and inhibition of RR.

Effects of Exercise Training on Executive Functioning in Adults with Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Exercise is a promising nonpharmacological intervention to improve executive function (EF). However, results from randomized trials and meta-analyses examining the effects of exercise on working memory in adults with depression are mixed, and the influence of exercise on EF, as well as the key moderators of the relationship, remain inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: The present systematic review with meta-analysis examined the influence of exercise interventions on EF in adults with depression, and the influence of key moderating variables. METHODS: Electronic searches were conducted using Embase, Cochrane Central, Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and Weipu Database up to 25 June 2022, and updated on 16 January 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of exercise training on EF in adults with depression were included. A three-level meta-analysis based on a random-effects model was applied in R. Study quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. RESULTS: A total of 14 RCTs that evaluated 1201 adults with depression were included. The results indicated that exercise significantly improved global EF [g = 0.180; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.038, 0.323], and the subdomains of working memory (g = 0.182; 95% CI = 0.015, 0.350), cognitive flexibility (g = 0.222; 95% CI = 0.048, 0.395), and reasoning/planning (g = 0.889; 95% CI = 0.571, 1.206). In subgroup analyses, significant improvements in EF were only observed for aerobic exercise (g = 0.203; 95% CI = 0.023, 0.382), moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise (g = 0.200; 95% CI = 0.022, 0.379), exercise performed three or more times per week (g = 0.207; 95% CI = 0.026, 0.388), in sessions ≤ 60 min (g = 0.173; 95% CI = 0.003, 0.343), and in program durations lasting at least 13 weeks (g = 0. 248; 95% CI = 0.034, 0.462). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis demonstrates the benefits of exercise training for improving EF and the subdomains of working memory, cognitive flexibility, and reasoning/planning in adults with depression. Future randomized clinical trials are warranted to determine the therapeutic effects of exercise training on EF and cognitive symptoms in depressed patients.

Women's Respiratory Movements during Spontaneous Breathing and Physical Fitness: A Cross-Sectional, Correlational Study.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal/diaphragmatic breathing exercises are popular worldwide and have been proven to be beneficial for physical performance. Is abdominal motion (AM) during spontaneous breathing correlated with physical fitness? The present study aimed to answer this question. METHODS: 434 women (aged 20-59) were enrolled and participated in respiration tests using two respiration belts (one was tied at the height of the xiphoid and another at the navel) to detect AM and thoracic motion (TM). They also performed physical fitness tests to measure body size, muscular strength, muscular power, muscular endurance, balance, flexibility, reaction time, and cardiorespiratory endurance. RESULTS: All the correlation coefficients between respiratory movements (AM, TM, AM + TM, AM/(AM + TM)) and physical fitness outcomes were less than 0.4/-0.4. Only AM and muscular power (countermovement jump height) had a weak correlation, with a correlation coefficient close to 0.4 in the 20-29-year age group (rs = 0.398, p = 0.011, n = 40). CONCLUSIONS: Women's respiratory movements during spontaneous breathing were not correlated with physical fitness. Future studies may focus on the relationship between AM and countermovement jump height in young women with a larger sample size and using ultrasound to directly test the excursion of the diaphragm.

The Effects of Tai Chi on the Executive Functions and Physical Fitness in Middle-Aged Adults with Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The present study examined the effects of Tai Chi exercise on the executive functions (EFs) and physical fitness of middle-aged adults with depression. Methods: A total of 39 middle-aged adults with depression (M age = 50.59, SD = 7.38) were randomly assigned to the Tai Chi group (n = 20) or the waiting-list control group (n = 19). The Tai Chi group engaged in two 90 min sessions of Tai Chi exercise per week for 12 weeks; the waiting-list control group was asked to maintain their usual daily routines for 12 weeks. Depression symptoms, EFs (i.e., inhibitory control, planning, working memory, and cognitive flexibility), and physical fitness (i.e., cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, power, and flexibility) were evaluated at the baseline (pretest), 6-week (mid-test), and 12-week (post-test) marks. Results: Both groups showed decreased depression symptoms over time. Compared with the control group, the Tai Chi group showed decreased reaction times for incongruent conditions in the Stroop test from pretest to mid- and post-test, and shorter reaction time for incongruent conditions in the Stroop test than the control group at post-test; the Tai Chi group performed significantly better than the control group in overall total move score of Tower of London (TOL). The Tai Chi group also showed increased total correct scores of TOL from pretest to mid- and post-test, and greater total correct scores of TOL than the control group at post-test. Additionally, results indicated that Tai Chi exercise comprehensively improved physical fitness from pretest to mid- and post-test. Greater performance in terms of cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, and power was also found in the Tai Chi group at post-test than in the control group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the 12-week Tai Chi exercise improved inhibitory control, planning and working memory aspects of executive functions, and physical fitness in middle-aged adults with depression.

Effects of Acute High-Intensity Interval Exercise and High-Intensity Continuous Exercise on Inhibitory Function of Overweight and Obese Children.

This study aimed to examine whether a single bout each of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and high-intensity continuous exercise (HICE) could improve inhibitory functions of overweight and obese children, and which mode of exercise was more beneficial. Seventy-two overweight and obese children, with (26.02 ± 1.05 kg/m2), aged 10-14 years (11.56 ± 1.03 years), were randomly assigned to three groups. The HIIE group completed a 30-min treadmill exercise session (5-min warm up, 20-min HIIE, and 5-min cool-down). The HICE group performed 30 min of rope skipping, while the control (CON) group watched a designated cartoon on a tablet computer for the same duration. Reaction time and number of errors in the Stroop test were determined before and after the intervention. The difference between pre- and post-test reaction time scores was higher in the HIIE and HICE groups than in the CON group, while the pre- and post-test difference in the number of errors was similar between groups. Overall, it is likely that both acute HIIE and HICE were similarly efficient in facilitating cognitive and inhibitory functions of children with overweight and obesity conditions, supporting the benefits of acute high-intensity exercise probability for cognitive functions of children in general, as well as of the population with overweight and obesity conditions.

Aquatic Exercise for Health Promotion: A 31-Year Bibliometric Analysis.

The present study aimed to review the research literature on aquatic exercise for health promotion using bibliometric methods and CiteSpace software. The number of studies related to this topic are constantly expanding, with the USA, Brazil, and Australia the centers of this research. Most published papers fall within Sports Science, but the disciplines of Physiology, Psychology, and Rehabilitation were also found to be dominant domains for this literature. The seven most prolific authors were from Brazil or Spain. The most frequently cited references focused on sub-topics of physiology, biochemistry, physical fitness, psychological health, cardiovascular disease, and joint disease. New research trends have shifted to the promotion of cardiovascular health in clinical populations (stroke, overweight, hypertension, endothelium dysfunctional, obese, inflammation, antioxidant, heart failure). Overall, this review found that research hot spots and trends in this realm have focused on improving cardiovascular health with aquatic exercise.

Relationship between Mindfulness, Psychological Skills, and Mental Toughness in College Athletes.

Numerous studies have shown that dispositional mindfulness is positively associated with many mental abilities related to sports performance, including psychological skills and mental toughness. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between dispositional mindfulness, psychological skills, and mental toughness among different types of athletes. For this cross-sectional study, 101 college athletes were recruited. Their dispositional mindfulness, psychological skills, and mental toughness were measured by the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Athletic Psychological Skills Inventory (APSI), and Traits of Mental Toughness Inventory for Sports Scale (TMTIS). Pearson's correlation was used to calculate how dispositional mindfulness is associated with psychological skills and mental toughness. The results revealed that dispositional mindfulness is positively associated with comprehensive APSI (r = 0.21-0.36, p < 0.05), TMTIS overall (r = 0.27, p < 0.01), positive effort (r = 0.26, p = 0.01), and pressure (r = 0.30, p < 0.01). These findings suggest a positive linkage between mindfulness and the two examined psychological characteristics related to sports performance. Other approaches to increase mindfulness may be considered in the future.

Effects of Chinese Mind-Body Exercises on Executive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Chinese mind-body exercises (CMBEs) are positively associated with executive function (EF), but their effects on EF, from synthesized evidence using systematic and meta-analytic reviews, have not been conducted. Therefore, the present systematic review with meta-analysis attempted to determine whether CMBEs affect EF and its sub-domains, as well as how exercise, sample, and study characteristics moderate the causal relationship between CMBEs and EF in middle-aged and older adults. Seven electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published from the inception of each database through June 2020 (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Weipu). Randomized controlled trials with at least one outcome measure of CMBEs on EF in adults of mean age ≥ 50 years with intact cognition or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and with or without chronic diseases were included. A total of 29 studies (N = 2,934) ultimately were included in this study. The results indicated that CMBEs improved overall EF (Standardized Mean Differences = 0.28, 95% CI 0.12, 0.44), as well as its sub-domains of working memory and shifting. The beneficial effects of CMBEs on EF occurred regardless of type (Tai Chi, Qigong), frequency of group classes (≤2 time, 3-4 time, ≥5 times), session time (≤45 min, 46-60 min), total training time (≥150 to ≤300 min, >300 min), and length of the CMBEs (4-12 week, 13-26 week, and >26 week), in addition to that more frequent participation in both group classes and home practice sessions (≥5 times per week) resulted in more beneficial effects. The positive effects of CMBEs on EF were also demonstrated, regardless of participants mean age (50-65 years old, >65 years old), sex (only female, both), and cognitive statuses (normal, MCI, not mentioned), health status (with chronic disease, without chronic disease), as well as training mode (group class, group class plus home practice) and study language (English, Chinese). This review thus suggests that CMBEs can be used as an effective method with small to moderate and positive effects in enhancing EF, and that more frequent group classes and home practice sessions may increase these effects. However, certain limitations, including strictly design studies, limited ES (effect size) samples for specific variables, and possible biased publications, required paying particular attention to, for further exploring the effects of CMBEs on EF.

Public Mental Health in Post-COVID-19 Era.

Transmission of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has now rapidly spread around the world, which has alarming implications for individuals and communities, in particular for public mental health. Significant progress has been made in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, but the psychological crisis caused by the epidemic is still not over and may continue to exist. The public mental health in the post-COVID-19 era should not be ignored. This article provides early warning for the public's mental health in the post-COVID-19 era by listing the characteristics and duration of the public mental health crisis following the SARS outbreak. In addition, based on the current situation, specific methods and measures are proposed in order to provide effective reference for the prevention and control of psychological crisis caused by the COVID-19 epidemic.

Functional characterization of short-type peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) from silkworm Bombyx mori in innate immunity.

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are members of an important class of pattern recognition receptors in insects that can specifically recognize peptidoglycan (PGN) in bacterial cell walls and participate in immune regulation and bacterial clearance. Although the role of PGRPs in regulating the innate immune response in Drosophila melanogaster has been studied, little is known regarding PGRPs in Lepidoptera species. In this study, five short (S)-type Bombyx mori PGRPs (BmPGRPs) were cloned, expressed, and evaluated for their function in innate immunity. B. mori larvae that were injected with the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus megaterium or the gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli exhibited a rapid and significant upregulation in S-type BmPGRP expression. The results showed that the five evaluated BmPGRPs have significant agglutination activity toward E. coli and B. megaterium and more notable amidase activity toward meso-diaminopimelic acid peptidoglycan (DAP-PGN). Furthermore, only in the presence of BmPGRP-S5 did B. mori larval hemocytes exhibit significant phagocytosis against E. coli and B. megaterium.

An ML protein from the silkworm Bombyx mori may function as a key accessory protein for lipopolysaccharide signaling.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a common component of the outermost cell wall in Gram-negative bacteria. In mammals, LPS serves as an endotoxin that can be recognized by a receptor complex of TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) and MD-2 (myeloid differentiation-2) and subsequently induce a strong immune response to signal the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). In Drosophila melanogaster, no receptors for LPS have been identified, and LPS cannot activate immune responses. Here, we report a protein, BmEsr16, which contains an ML (MD-2-related lipid-recognition) domain, may function as an LPS receptor in the silkworm Bombyx mori. We showed that antibacterial activity in the hemolymph of B. mori larvae was induced by Escherichia coli, peptidoglycan (PGN) and LPS and that the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes was also induced by LPS. Furthermore, both the expression of BmEsr16 mRNA in the fat body and the expression of BmEsr16 protein in the hemolymph were induced by LPS. Recombinant BmEsr16 bound to LPS and lipid A, as well as to PGN, lipoteichoic acid, but not to laminarin or mannan. More importantly, LPS-induced immune responses in the hemolymph of B. mori larvae were blocked when the endogenous BmEsr16 protein was neutralized by polyclonal antibody specific to BmEsr16. Our results suggest that BmEsr16 may function as a key accessory protein for LPS signaling in B. mori.

Chiral resolution, absolute configuration, and bioactivity of a new racemic asarone derivative from the rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii.

A new asarone-derived racemate (1) was isolated from the rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii. The structure of 1 was established by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, and it was successfully resolved by chiral HPLC, demonstrating that it is racemic. The absolute configurations of 1a [(-)-acortatarone A] and 1b [(+)-acortatarone A] were determined using quantum chemical calculations. Compounds 1a and 1b were the first cases of asarone derivatives with the 5,7-dialkyl-6-aryl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one core. The α-glucosidase inhibitory and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of 1 were evaluated, and it exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with potency close to that of the positive control (acarbose).