Beyond the Catecholamines Hypothesis for an Acute Exercise–Cognition Interaction

Developing the catecholamines hypothesis for the acute exercise-cognition interaction in humans: Lessons from animal studies

“…In a recent review [1], we examined the efficacy of the catecholamines hypothesis [2] in 46 providing an underlying rationale for empirical research results concerning the acute exercise-47 cognition interaction effect. We concluded that the hypothesis, as it stands, could not account for 48 (a) improvements in cognition during exercise intensities and/or durations, which did not induce 49 increases in plasma concentrations of catecholamines; (b) the failure to unequivocally 50 demonstrate an inverted-U effect, with respect to cognitive testing at rest, and during moderate 51 and heavy exercise; (c) improvements in cognitive performance following heavy exercise that 52 has been shown in some research; (d) nor why different task types appear to be affected 53 differently.…”

Effect of sustained high-intensity exercise on executive function

“…There have been consistent findings showing that exercise of a short to moderate duration (≤30 min) 11) and moderate intensity (40-70% V ・ O2max) 12) improves executive function [13][14][15][16][17] ; however, when the exercise duration exceeds 60 min or when the intensity is >70% V ・ O2max, the findings on the effect of exercise on executive function have been controversial. Dietrich et al 18) reported that executive function was impaired during approximately 63 min of running at 75% maximal heart rate, whereas Hogervorst et al 19) demonstrated that executive function was enhanced (based on a shorter time to finish the Stroop interference task) after 60 min of cycling at 75% maximal work capacity.…”

“…Dietrich et al 18) reported that executive function was impaired during approximately 63 min of running at 75% maximal heart rate, whereas Hogervorst et al 19) demonstrated that executive function was enhanced (based on a shorter time to finish the Stroop interference task) after 60 min of cycling at 75% maximal work capacity. Research investigating the effect of a sustained high-intensity exercise on executive function is lacking 11) , and whether such exercise can enhance or dete-*Correspondence: ksanada@fc.ritsumei.ac.jp riorate executive function remains unclear.…”

“…Executive function can be affected by acute exercise, which induces changes in modulators of cognitive function such as arousal and the levels of some brain neurotransmitters that are influenced by stress hormones including catecholamines and glucocorticoids 5,6) . When exercise is continued, the arousal level changes and the levels of stress hormones increase, which presumably deteriorate the processing of executive function [7][8][9][10][11] . Such exercise-induced changes in executive function would affect the control of action in dynamic situations that require a sustained moderate-to high-intensity exercise, such as sports activities.…”

“…Sustained high-intensity exercise induces plasma norepinephrine (NE) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release 6,9,14,23) , which would selectively decrease the performance of central executive tasks since high levels of plasma NE and ACTH have been reported to result in a decline in executive function 11,24) . Central executive task performance can be tested using incongruent tasks of Stroop test 25) , in which increased reaction time indicates decreased performance.…”