Effects of different exercise patterns on spatial and verbal working memory updating in women with methamphetamine use disorder

Objective

To explore the different effects of chronic moderate-intensity cycle ergometer and aerobic calisthenics training on spatial and verbal working memory (WM) updating and brain activity.

Methods

Forty female methamphetamine (MA) users were randomly assigned to receive either moderate-intensity cycle ergometer or aerobic calisthenics training twice a week for 10 weeks. Before and after exercise, a modified 2-back task, which contained the word and position task, was used to assess changes in spatial and verbal WM updating, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to assess activation of prefrontal cortex.

Results

We found a potentially greater impact on spatial WM than verbal WM after ten weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic calisthenics, evidenced by shorter response times and increased activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Additionally, greater right DLPFC activation during word tasks was observed in the aerobic calisthenics group compared to the cycle ergometer group. Yet both interventions reduced activity in orbitofrontal cortex (OFC).

Conclusion

Exercise interventions should be tailored to specific cognitive needs of patients and women's exercise preferences. For example, both exercise intervention methods are effective for female MUDs with severe spatial WM impairments. However, for those with severe verbal WM impairments, a single type of coordinative exercise may be insufficient, suggesting the need for more comprehensive approaches.