Role of Brain Structure in Predicting Adherence to a Physical Activity Regimen

In this study, we tested whether gray matter volume and white matter microstructural integrity before the initiation of a PA intervention predicts PA adherence.MethodsOne hundred fifty-nine adults aged 60 to 80 years were randomly assigned to a moderate-intensity aerobic walking condition or a nonaerobic stretching and toning condition. Participants engaged in supervised exercise 3 times per week for 12 months. Data were collected for a period of 1 year. Voxel-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics protocols were used to process neuroimaging data, and ordinary least squares regression models with bootstrapping were used to analyze voxelwise neural predictors of PA adherence.ResultsGreater volume in several regions predicted greater PA adherence, including prefrontal, motor, somatosensory, temporal, and parietal regions (p
Source: Psychosomatic Medicine - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research