| Aging is associated with a decline in cognitive and psychomotor functions, resulting in difficulties with daily activities such as driving. Cognitive function has been found to be associated with arterial stiffening. These age-related decrements can be mitigated through routine aerobic exercise. To determine the effects of life-long aerobic exercise on cognitive function, driving performance, and cardiovascular health (i.e., arterial stiffness and thickness) among older adults (65--84 years old). A cross-sectional design was utilized to compare 27 endurance-trained older adults with 35 sedentary counterparts. Driving performance and cognitive function were measured via driving simulator and a cognitive battery, respectively. Cardiovascular health was assessed via a perceptually-regulated exercise test, carotid-intima media thickness (IMT) via Doppler ultrasound, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV). Fitness comparisons were made using an independent sample t-test. Cognitive function and driving performance scores were transformed to Z-scores. VO2max was higher in the endurance-trained group compared to the sedentary group (41+/-9 vs 25+/-3 ml/kg/min, p<.01). There were no differences between the groups in cf-PWV (12+/-2 vs. 12+/-2 m/s), carotid-IMT (.74+/-.15 vs .76+/-.13 mm), nor cognitive function scores (-.01+/-.57 vs -.09+/-.97). However, the endurance-trained group performed better on the driving simulator (.18+/-.58 vs -.28+/-.92, p<.05). Enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness may mitigate age-related decrements to driving performance. |
