| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 894317 | Psychology of Sport and Exercise | 2013 | 6 Pages |
ObjectivesAlthough the effect of exercise on cognitive functioning has received considerable empirical and theoretical attention, the influence of concurrent exercise on complex cognitive function remains poorly understood. Our research was designed to investigate working memory during a bout of dynamic exercise.DesignAn experimental design was used.MethodsIn two experiments, we examined the impact of moderate intensity exercise on performance of a paced auditory serial addition task (Experiment 1, N = 24) and a Sternberg task (Experiment 2, N = 120). The tasks were performed at rest and while cycling at different power outputs.ResultsWe found that moderate intensity exercise increased the number of correct responses at medium-to-fast stimulus presentation rates during the paced auditory serial addition task and lowered the response latency slopes during the Sternberg task.ConclusionsOur findings show that working memory is improved by dynamic exercise at moderate intensities and short duration.
► We studied the effects of moderate intensity and short duration exercise on memory. ► Experiment 1 found performance on the PASAT was facilitated by exercise. ► Experiment 2 found performance on the Sternberg task was facilitated by exercise. ► Our findings suggest a refinement to the transient hypofrontality theory. ► Exercise can facilitate or debilitate complex cognition depending on exercise dose.
