Associations of cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity, and arterial stiffness with cognition in youth

PURPOSE: To investigate the associations of cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity, and arterial stiffness with cognition in 16‐ to 19‐year‐old adolescents. METHODS: Fifty four adolescents (35 girls; 19 boys) participated in the study. Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O(2peak)) and peak power output (W(max)) were measured by the maximal ramp test on a cycle ergometer and ventilatory threshold (VT) was determined with ventilation equivalents. Lean mass (LM) and body fat percentage (BF%) were measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao) and augmentation index (AIx%) were measured by a non‐invasive oscillometric device. Working memory, short term memory, visual learning and memory, paired‐associate learning, attention, reaction time, and executive function were assessed by CogState tests. RESULTS: V̇O(2peak)/LM (β = 0.36 p = .011) and W(max)/LM (β = 0.30 p = .020) were positively associated with working memory. W(max)/LM was also positively associated with visual learning (β = 0.37, p = .009). V̇O(2) at VT/LM was positively associated with working memory (β = 0.30 p = .016), visual learning (β = 0.31 p = .026), and associated learning (β = −0.27 p = .040). V̇O(2) at VT as % of V̇O(2peak), BF%, PWVao, and AIx% were not associated with cognition. CONCLUSION: Cardiorespiratory fitness was related to better cognitive function, while BF% and arterial stiffness were not associated with cognition in adolescents.