Acute exercise has a general facilitative effect on cognitive function: A combined ERP temporal dynamics and BDNF study

Abstract

This study examined whether acute moderate intensity exercise results in a general or selective improvement in cognitive function. In addition, multiple stimulus-locked ERP components and serum BDNF levels were assessed to investigate potential neurobiological mechanisms underlying acute exercise effects on select aspects of cognitive performance. Thirty young adults were recruited and participated in exercise and reading control sessions in a counterbalanced order. Following treatments, the Stroop task was administrated, and N1, N2, P3, and N450 components of the ERP waveform were recorded and analyzed. Additionally, blood samples were withdrawn immediately following exercise or rest conditions prior to administration of the Stroop task. Acute exercise facilitated response times for both Stroop congruent and incongruent task conditions, with a similar magnitude of improvement. Larger P3 and reduced N450 amplitudes as well as decreased N450 latency were observed following exercise, but no effects on N1 and N2 components were found. This dose of exercise also did not influence serum BDNF levels. These findings suggest that moderate intensity acute exercise results in a generalized rather than selective improvement in cognition. The facilitation may be related to an increase in attentional or neural resource allocation and conflict detection processes reflected by longer latency endogenous components (P3, N450), but is not influenced by earlier sensory and monitoring processes revealed by earlier ERP components or by serum levels of BDNF.

Acute Exercise and Neurocognitive Development in Preadolescents and Young Adults: An ERP Study

“…Interestingly, prior research has suggested that acute exercise resulted in an increase in conflict detection indexed by the shorter N450 latency [86], suggesting the differential effects of acute exercise on the stages of conflict processing in young adults. In contrast to young adults, preadolescent children exhibit evidence of reduced conflict SP amplitude following acute exercise, which might be interpreted as a reduction in the interference effect and increased conflict-processing ability.…”

Effects of acute aerobic and resistance exercise on executive function: An ERP study

“…Additionally, her/his cardiorespiratory fitness (VO 2 max ) and absolute strength were assessed following the procedures described previously. 1,5 Briefly,VO 2 max was estimated using the submaximal YMCA Ergometer Test 26 with a cycle ergometer (Ergoselect 200 P, Ergoline, Germany), and absolute strength was assessed following 10-repetition maximum (RM) guidelines 27 for leg press, leg extension, chest press, chest fly, lateral pull down, right bicep curl, and left bicep curl. Notably, practice taskswitching trials were also administered until correct responses reached the 80% level; this ensured sufficient test familiarisation.…”

“…The intensities chosen for AE and RE have been associated with beneficial effects on EF. 1,13 The detailed protocols for AE 1 , RE 13 and the control 13 sessions have been published. Briefly, the AE session entailed cycle ergometry for 30 min; specifically, a 5-min warm-up, 20 min of moderate-intensity exercise [i.e., 60-70% of maximal heart rate (HR) reserve), and a 5-min cooldown.…”

“…A single bout of exercise, known as acute exercise, has been shown to elicit benefits for various forms of cognitive task performance post-exercise, 1,2 and such benefits are well supported by a recent meta-analysis. 3 Furthermore, cognitive processes associated with executive function (EF), which concerns a form of higher-level cognition responsible for goal-directed behaviours and regulation of aspects of basic cognition, 4 appear to be enhanced following acute exercise.…”

“…18 To date, very few studies have investigated the effects of acute exercise on cognition with due consideration of N1; those that have, found them to be negligible in nature. 1 However, such studies were confounded by an overt focus on the influence of AE on the inhibition aspect of EF, and research has yet to address whether acute RE might influence the early stages of sensory information processing.…”