Effects of a school-based physical activity program on retinal microcirculation and cognitive function in adolescents

To investigate the effect of combined aerobic and coordinative exercise on retinal microcirculation and its association with changes in cognitive performance in healthy adolescents.; Using cluster-randomization (on class-level), 36 participants were allocated to an exercise group (EX) performing a 20-min aerobic and coordinative exercise session on each school day over a period of 8 weeks or a control group, which was encouraged to have social interactions (CON).; Prior to and following the intervention period, central retinal arteriolar (CRAE) and venular diameters (CRVE) were assessed by use of a static vessel analyzer. Additionally, a computer-based version of the Stroop Color-Word task was administered to assess inhibitory control.; The statistical analysis revealed that EX compared to CON showed higher CRAE at post-test, when pre-test values were accounted for, F(1,32)=4.92, p=0.036, η; 2; =0.130. In contrast, no such effect was reported for CRVE. With regard to cognitive performance, a greater reduction of reaction time on the Stroop task was observed in EX relative to CON, F(1,30)=8.58, p=0.006, η; 2; =0.222. The increase in CRAE was significantly correlated with a decrease of reaction time on trials demanding inhibitory control, even after adjusting for covariates, r(31)=-0.438, p=0.011.; A structured exercise program leads to a widening of retinal arteriolar diameters, which is associated with improvements in inhibitory control. Consequently, daily exercise sessions performed during the school break-time can be recommended for promoting both cardiovascular and cognitive health in adolescents.