Journal article
Short-term isolation effects on the brain, cognitive performance, and sleep—The role of exercise
Frontiers in Physiology, Vol.14, pp.1-14
2023
PMCID: PMC9927017
PMID: 36798941
Abstract
Isolation is stressful and negatively affects sleep and mood and might also affect the structure and function of the brain. Physical exercise improves brain function. We investigated the influence of physical exercise during isolation on sleep, affect, and neurobehavioral function. N = 16 were isolated for 30 days with daily exercise routines (ISO100) and n = 16 isolated for 45 days with every second day exercise (ISO50). N = 27 were non isolated controls who either exercised on a daily basis (CTRLEx) or refused exercise (CTRLNonEx) for 30 days. At the beginning and the end of each intervention, intravenous morning cortisol, melatonin, brain derived neurotrophic factor and IGF1, positive and negative affect scales, electroencephalography, cognitive function, and sleep patterns (actigraphy) were assessed. High levels of cortisol were observed for the isolated groups (p < .05) without negative effects on the brain, cognitive function, sleep, and mood after 4 to 6 weeks of isolation, where physical exercise was performed regularly. An increase in cortisol and impairments of sleep quality, mood, cognitive function, and neurotrophic factors (p < .05) were observed after 4 weeks of absence of physical exercise in the CTRLNonEx group. These findings raise the assumption that regular physical exercise routines are a key component during isolation to maintain brain health and function.
Details
- Title
- Short-term isolation effects on the brain, cognitive performance, and sleep—The role of exercise
- Authors
- Timo Klein (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Sports & Exercise ScienceLeonard Braunsmann (Author) - German Sport University CologneJessica Koschate (Author) - Carl von Ossietzky Universität OldenburgUwe Hoffmann (Author) - German Sport University CologneTina Foitschik (Author) - German Sport University CologneStephanie Krieger (Author) - KBR (Houston, United States)Brian Crucian (Author) - Johnson Space CenterStefan Schneider (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringVera Abeln (Corresponding Author) - German Sport University Cologne
- Publication details
- Frontiers in Physiology, Vol.14, pp.1-14
- Publisher
- Frontiers Research Foundation
- Date published
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.3389/fphys.2023.903072
- ISSN
- 1664-042X
- PMID
- 36798941; PMC9927017
- Copyright note
- This is an openaccess article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
- Grant note
- 50WB1516/ German Space Agency (DLR)/ German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99706997002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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