運動對改善大腦認知功能之效益評析

The Benefits of Exercise on Brain Function: A Review

目前對於透過運動或身體活動可以提升大腦的功能，進而促進認知表現的研究成果分歧，其中原因可能受到不同運動類型的特性及不同認知模式的作業所致。有鑑於此，本文將以文獻評析對運動與認知表現做更進一步探討。從動物實驗已發現不同運動型態的確會透過不同的生理或神經生化機轉來提升大腦的生理效益，然而，在人類實驗方面仍需更多的研究證據來支持此觀點；此外，從事件相關電位（event-related potential, ERP）的研究則發現：運動或身體活動亦對不同特性的認知作業有不同程度的影響，這似乎與認知作業是否涉入執行控制功能與否有關，然而，這些結果可能會受到研究參與者的年齡、分組的依據、執行策略……等的因素而影響。值得注意的是，運動的效益更可能會反映在其它的認知歷程（ERP成份波）上。因此，本文建議：（1）欲瞭解不同運動型態是否會在人類身上表現出不同的效益，未來研究應設計兩種以上運動類型及收錄兩種以上的測量指標，若能發現雙解離（double dissociation）的效果才能更具體地提出此論點；（2）須審慎考量研究參與者的分組依據，如能採納兩種以上的分類指標（例如：身體活動量與心肺適能）將能更明確地區分出組間的差異；（3）未來有關認知電生理的研究，亦須視作業特性將P3波之外的重要成份波列入探討，或許更能瞭解運動對認知功能的效益。若能將以上建議納入研究設計與結果分析，未來研究應該能夠獲得更為精確的實驗結果。

A large number of studies have suggested that cognitive functioning can be enhanced via exercise or physical activity. However, other studies reported inconsistent findings. The different characteristics of the various types of exercise or cognitive tasks may account for the inconsistencies observed in the literature. The aim of this article is to review previous studies on exercise and cognitive performance. We first discuss the roles of various physiological mechanisms underlying different types of exercise. Next, we review the event-related potential (ERP) studies that examined the benefits of physical activity on cognitive performance, with and without executive control. Based on the studies in our review, we conclude that the benefits on the brain may depend on the type of exercise. Moreover, the benefits of physical activity may vary according to different cognitive tasks and whether they involve executive control. These results are also influenced by age, grouping methods, and strategies adopted by the research participants. In conclusion, we suggest the following: (1) Future studies should manipulate at least 2 types of exercise and collect 2 types of data, which could potentially detect the effect of double-dissociation. (2) Studies should group participants using 2 or more factors (e.g., levels of physical engagement and cardiovascular fitness), in order to distinguish among groups. (3) Further ERP studies should add other components, such as N2 and CNV, to further explore the relationship between exercise and cognitive functioning. If future studies follow these suggestions, more insight into the benefits of exercise on cognitive functioning may be gained.