Autorregulação do córtex pré-frontal e sua relação com a tolerância ao exercício físico e com o acúmulo de gordura corporal

Abstract

Physical inactivity is considered one of the major global public health problems, and understanding associated mechanisms in an integrated manner is essential for developing effective strategies to promote a more active and healthy life. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between self-regulation of the prefrontal cortex and inhibitory control with the accumulation of body fat and tolerance to physical effort. In the first chapter, a narrative review of the potential neurobiological factors influencing the maintenance of inactive behavior in overweight and obese individuals was conducted, highlighting the interaction between brain structures in decision- making and the interpretation of sensations related to physical activity. Furthermore, a theoretical behavioral model with possible implications in the maintenance and modulation of physical activity behavior was proposed. The second chapter explores the relationship between prefrontal cortex (PFC) hemodynamics, inhibitory control, and exercise performance in overweight or obese individuals. The results suggest that low PFC oxygenation at rest is associated with poor exercise performance, and that poor inhibitory control functioning may mediate this relationship. This suggests that the ability to inhibit unwanted behaviors is important for exercise performance. In the third chapter, the relationship between body fat accumulation, neurovascular coupling (NVC) efficiency, and exercise tolerance is investigated. We found that the relationship between body fat and intolerance can be explained by NVC, underlying the lesser ability of the PFC to functionally convert hemodynamic responses into inhibitory cognitive control to tolerate exercise in physically inactive and fat-accumulated young individuals. This dysfunction in the self-regulation of the perception of bodily sensations during exercise seems to promote predictions about the anticipated interruption of exercise. In addition, it was also demonstrated that interoceptive dimensions of greater distraction and low self-regulation of these individuals can predict exercise intolerance. It is believed that the body of knowledge generated by this thesis, integrating psychobiological responses and physical exercise tolerance by a sedentary population with high fat accumulation, expands the evidence that underpins the development of intervention strategies for promoting physical activity and combating obesity, thereby increasing the quality of life of the population