A Comparative Correlational Study of Cerebral Blood Flow and Brainwaves During Cognitive Performance in Young Adults with Different Cardiovascular Fitness Levels

Lam, Jia Yih (2024) A Comparative Correlational Study of Cerebral Blood Flow and Brainwaves During Cognitive Performance in Young Adults with Different Cardiovascular Fitness Levels. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Changes in cerebral blood flow and brainwave patterns have demonstrated an impact on cognitive function, while cardiovascular fitness levels also showed an influence on cognitive function. However, the inconveniences related to examining neurophysiological changes with different instruments and the limited evidence regarding the influence of fitness levels on cognitive task performance in young adults. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between cerebral blood flow and brainwave during cognitive task performance, while also to determine the influence of cardiovascular fitness levels on cerebral blood flow and brainwaves during cognitive task performance in young adults. Thirty-six young male adults (mean age = 21.44 ± 1.63 yrs; height = 170.78 ± 5.69 cm; weight = 66.75 ± 10.57 kg; body fat percentage = 15.79 ± 6.28 %; predicted VO2 max = 53.17 ± 5.98 ml/kg/min) were recruited, and they were categorized into two different group by using predicted VO2 max: (i) higher cardiovascular fitness or (ii) lower cardiovascular fitness. Subjects underwent (i) preliminary testing including anthropometric measures and Queen College Step Test; (ii) a familiarization of Stroop test; and (iii) experimental trial included obtaining the cerebral blood flow and brainwaves data for 5 minutes of rest, Stroop test (40 trials) and 5 minutes of rest after test. Results showed that there was only a significant weak positive correlation between HHb and beta (r = .361, p = .030). While there was no significant difference between groups in terms of cognitive task performance, cerebral blood flow and brainwave variables. In conclusion, this study did not reveal significant correlations and comparison between groups, which highlighted the complexity of the brain's inner workings and the need for comprehensive and tailored approaches in cognitive research.