Zusammenfassung
We investigated sex differences in the association between a
measure of physical health, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and
brain function using resting-state functional connectivity fMRI.
We examined these sex differences in the default, frontoparietal
control, and cingulo-opercular networks, assemblies of
functionally connected brain regions known to be impacted by
both age and fitness level. Healthy older adults ( n = 49; 29
women) were scanned to obtain measures of intrinsic connectivity
within and across these 3 networks. We calculated global
efficiency (a measure of network integration) and local
efficiency (a measure of network specialization) using graph
theoretical methods. Across all three networks combined, local
efficiency was positively associated with CRF, and this was more
robust in male versus female older adults. Furthermore, global
efficiency was negatively associated with CRF, but only in
males. Our findings suggest that in older adults, associations
between brain network integrity and physical health are
sex-dependent. These results underscore the importance of
considering sex differences when examining associations between
fitness and brain function in older adulthood. NEW & NOTEWORTHY
We examined the association between cardiorespiratory fitness
and resting state functional connectivity in several brain
networks known to be impacted by age and fitness level. We found
significant associations between fitness and measures of network
integration and network specialization, but in a sex-dependent
manner, highlighting the interplay between sex differences,
fitness, and aging brain health. Our findings underscore the
importance of considering sex differences when examining
associations between fitness and brain function in older
adulthood.
Nutzer