The Effect of Physical Activity Level on Executive Functions in Obese Cases

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the executive functions (inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility and working memory) of obese subjects with different levels of physical activity. Material and Method: The study included 31 obese subjects. The patients were divided into two groups: high physical activity (HAOG, n=14) and minimal physical activity (MAOG, n=17), according to International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). After the demographic data of the subjects were recorded, the body fat ratio was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory were evaluated with Stroop Test Çapa Form, Trail Making Test A-B, and 2-back test, respectively. Results: Body mass index, age, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist/hip ratio were similar between the groups, whereas the percentage of fat mass was lower in HAOG (p=0.016) and the percentage of muscle mass was higher in HAOG (p=0.009). Inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility and working memory scores were similar in the groups in our study (p>0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of our study, although executive functions were similar in obese subjects with different physical activity levels, further studies are needed due to the limitations of publications in this field.

Keywords

• Obesity
• executive function
• physical activity.

Obez Olgularda Fiziksel Aktivite Seviyesinin Yürütücü Fonksiyonlar Üzerindeki Etkisi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, farklı fiziksel aktivite düzeylerine sahip obez olguların yürütücü fonksiyonlarını (inhibitör kontrol, kognitif fleksibilite ve çalışma belleği) karşılaştırmaktı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya 31 obez olgu dahil edildi. Olgular Uluslararası Fiziksel Aktivite Anketi-Kısa Formu’na (IPAQ-SF) göre yüksek aktif obez grup (YAOG, n=14) ve minimal aktif obez grup (MAOG, n=17) olmak üzere 2 gruba ayrıldı. Olguların demografik özellikleri alındıktan sonra biyoelektrik empedans analizi ile vücut yağ oranları değerlendirildi. İnhibitör kontrol, kognitif fleksibilite ve çalışma belleği alt başlıklarında sırasıyla Stroop Testi Çapa Formu, İz Sürme Testi A-B ve 2-Geri Testi ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Olguların vücut kitle indeksi, yaş, bel çevresi, kalça çevresi ve bel/kalça oranı değerleri gruplar arasında benzerlik gösterirken, vücut yağ oranı YAOG'da daha düşüktü (p=0.016), kas oranı ise YAOG'da daha yüksekti (p=0.009). Grupların demografik değerleri arasında fark yoktu. Çalışmamızdaki grupların inhibitor kontrol, kognitif fleksibilite ve çalışma belleği değerleri benzerdi (p>0.05). Sonuç: Çalışmamızın sonuçlarına göre, farklı fiziksel aktivite düzeylerine sahip obez bireylerde yürütücü fonksiyonlar benzer olmakla birlikte, bu alandaki yayınların kısıtlılığı nedeniyle daha ileri çalışmalara ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır.

Keywords

• Obezite
• yürütücü fonksiyon
• fiziksel aktivite.

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