Author(s): TSAI, C., WANG, C.T., PAN, C.Y, TSENG, Y.T., CHEN, F.C., Institution: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY, Country: TAIWAN, Abstract-ID: 377

INTRODUCTION:
Engaging in acute aerobic exercise has been shown to significantly enhance neurotransmitter activity and neurotrophic factor levels, thereby improving neural function in late middle-aged and older adults [1]. Similarly, a single session of whole-body vibration (WBV) has been reported to elicit acute hormonal responses, promote the release of neuroprotective growth factors, and activate the brain cortex [2]. Postmenopausal women tend to perform worse on cognitive interference tasks compared to their premenopausal counterparts [3]. However, no studies to date have examined the combined effects of aerobic exercise and resistance exercise performed on a WBV platform on inhibitory control in this population. Furthermore, the neurophysiological and molecular mechanisms underlying acute exercise-induced neuropsychological changes, as well as the interconnections among these factors, remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (MIAE) and a combination of MIAE with isometric resistance exercise on a WBV platform (MIAE+WBV), in comparison to no exercise (NEI), on neurocognitive performance and molecular biomarkers in postmenopausal women.
METHODS:
Sixty-six participants were randomly allocated into three groups: MIAE (n = 22), MIAE+WBV (n = 22), and NEI (n = 22). Neurocognitive performance was assessed using measures such as accuracy rate (AR), reaction time (RT), and brain event-related potential (ERP; P3 component) during the Stroop task. Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), norepinephrine (NE), osteocalcin (OC), and uncarboxylated OC (ucOC) were also evaluated before and after the intervention (or resting period for the NEI group).
RESULTS:
No significant changes in RTs, ERP P3 latency, or P3 amplitude for the compatible condition were observed in either exercise group. However, both MIAE and MIAE+WBV groups showed significant increases in AR (ps < .007) and P3 amplitude (ps < .003) during the incompatible condition. Notably, only the MIAE+WBV group demonstrated significant improvements in AR for the compatible condition (p = .007). Both exercise groups exhibited elevated post-exercise levels of IGF-1 (ps < .003), NE (ps < .008), OC (ps = .001), and ucOC (ps < .024). Additionally, significant correlations were identified between NE and P3 amplitude changes in both exercise groups (ps < .028) and between ucOC and AR changes in the MIAE+WBV group (p = .041), underscoring the link between molecular and neurocognitive outcomes.
CONCLUSION:
These results indicate that both MIAE and MIAE+WBV effectively improve neurocognitive function in postmenopausal women, with MIAE+WBV demonstrating greater efficacy compared to MIAE alone.

References
1. Tsai, CL, and Pan, CY. Ment Health Phys Act, 2023. 24(100494): p.1-11.
2. Tsai, CL, et al. Ment Health Phys Act. 2024. 26(100582): p.1-12.
3. Rabeya, K, et al. Bangladesh Pharma J. 2021. 24: p.26-32.