| 英文摘要 |
Introduction: Previous studies have suggested that obesity negatively affects executive function and cardiovascular fitness moderates such a relationship by enhancing the inhibition aspect of executive function. The purpose of this study was to simultaneously explore the association of both obesity and cardiovascular fitness on the inhibition of executive function and to reveal the neuroelectric activity through measuring event-related potentials (ERP). Specifically, this study was performed to compare different levels of cardiovascular fitness between young adults with obese and normal state on the inhibition of executive function and the P3 component, respectively. Methods: Fifty-two healthy male college students were first recruited and then screened for body mass index and maximal oxygen uptake. A total of forty participants meeting the criteria entered the study and they were categorized into four groups: obese young males with low cardiovascular fitness or high cardiovascular fitness, and normal-weight young males with either low cardiovascular fitness or high cardiovascular fitness. Inhibition of executive function was assessed by their response times and accuracy of performance on a Stroop test, during which the P3 amplitude and latency were recorded. Results: Regarding the Stroop test, normal-weight young males with high cardiovascular fitness had shorter response times compared to those of young males with low cardiovascular fitness. Concerning the P3 component of ERP, normal-weight young males with high cardiovascular fitness showed larger P3 amplitude compared to that of the obese young males, irrespective of their specific cardiovascular fitness levels, whereas no group differences were identified on P3 latency. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that, in contrast to obesity with low cardiovascular fitness, normal body weight coupled with high cardiovascular fitness facilitates an inhibition of executive functioning, which may in turn enhance attentional resource allocation among young males. Therefore, cardiovascular fitness could moderate the relationship between obesity and cognitive function. Future research is recommended, to include in design larger sample sizes, different cognitive tests, different populations, and other variables related to both obesity and cognitive function. |
