Scientific publications

Functional connectivity mediates the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and stress in midlife.

  • Lifestyles
  • Mental health
Magazine: Mental Health and Physical Activity
The study investigates the relationship between cardiovascular fitness, functional brain connectivity, and mental health in middle-aged adults. Data from 418 participants from the BBHI were analyzed, revealing that higher cardiovascular fitness was associated with lower symptoms of anxiety and stress. Additionally, it was found that functional connectivity within the Default Mode Network (DMN) and between the Frontoparietal Network (FPN) and the Salience Network (SN) mediated the relationship between cardiovascular fitness and stress. These findings suggest that cardiovascular fitness can positively impact mental health in middle age through functional brain connectivity.
Authors: Goretti España-Irla, Timothy P. Morris, Sergiu Albu, María Cabello-Toscano, María Redondo-Camós, Selma Delgado-Gallén, Lídia Mulet-Pons, Alba Roca-Ventura, Núria Bargalló, Gabriele Cattaneo, Javier Solana-Sanchez, Josep M. Tormos Muñoz, David Bartres-Faz, Álvaro Pascual-Leone
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