Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Acute Exercise on Real-World Ecological Memory

J. of SCI. IN SPORT AND EXERCISE

2021

Self Cite

The majority of previous research evaluating the effects of acute exercise on episodic memory function have focused on explicit memory tasks involving word-list paradigms. For a more real-world application, the present experiment evaluates whether high-intensity acute exercise can improve episodic memory function of incidentally processed information as well as increase one's ability to remember names associated with faces (face-name paradigm). A two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled intervention was employed. Participants (N = 91; M age = 20 years) were randomized into one of two groups, including an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group exercised for 20 min on a treadmill at a high-intensity (75% of heart rate reserve), while the control group engaged in a seated, time-matched task. Explicit memory was assessed from an intentional processing face-name paradigm in which participants encoded and subsequently recalled names that were paired with faces. Episodic memory for incidentally processed information was evaluated with a computerized program involving spatial-temporal integration. The mean (SD) number of correctly recalled face-name pairs between the exercise and control groups, respectively, for immediate memory were 11.16 (4.4) and 9.79 (4.3), P > 0.05. Results were similar for incidentally processed information, in that there were no differences between the exercise [7.30 (1.7)] and control [7.52 (1.9)] groups, P > 0.05. Overall, we did not observe evidence that high-intensity acute exercise improves episodic memory for incidentally or intentionally processed information.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

The Effects of High-Intensity Acute Exercise on Face-Name Memory in Healthy Young Adults

Gilbert

J. of SCI. IN SPORT AND EXERCISE

2021

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Effects of acute exercise intensity on source episodic memory and metamemory accuracy

Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology

Rigdon

Javadi

et al. 2022

Prior research suggests that behavioral (e.g., exercise) and psychological factors (e.g., metamemory; monitoring and control of one’s memory processes) may influence memory function. However, there is conflicting results on the optimal intensity of acute exercise to enhance memory and whether acute exercise can also enhance metamemory. Further, very limited research has evaluated whether acute exercise can influence source episodic memory. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether there is an intensity-specific effect of acute aerobic exercise on source episodic memory and metamemory accuracy. Thirty young adults participated in a three condition (Control/Moderate/Vigorous-Intensity Exercise), within-subject counterbalanced experimental study. After each intervention, participants completed source episodic memory and metamemory tasks. Results demonstrated that acute exercise, relative to control, was effective in enhancing source episodic memory, but not metamemory accuracy. Vigorous-intensity acute exercise was the most optimal intensity to enhance source episodic memory. Overall, our findings suggest that there is an intensity-specific effect of acute exercise on source episodic memory. Further, when exercise-related improvements in memory occur, young adults may be unaware of these memory benefits from exercise.

Experimental effects of acute exercise on forgetting

Moore

Ryu

2020

PhysInt

ObjectivePrior research has evaluated the effects of acute exercise on episodic memory function. These studies have, on occasion, demonstrated that acute exercise may enhance both short- and long-term memory. It is uncertain as to whether the acute exercise improvements in long-term memory are a result of acute exercise attenuating declines in long-term memory, or rather, are driven by the enhancement effects of acute exercise on short-term memory. The present empirical study evaluates whether the decline from short- to long-term is influenced by acute exercise. This relationship is plausible as exercise has been shown to activate neurophysiological pathways (e.g., RAC1) that are involved in the mechanisms of forgetting.MethodsTo evaluate the effects of acute exercise on forgetting, we used data from 12 of our laboratory's prior experiments (N = 538). Across these 12 experiments, acute exercise ranged from 10 to 15 mins in duration (moderate-to-vigorous intensity). Episodic memory was assessed from word-list or paragraph-based assessments. Short-term memory was assessed immediately after encoding, with long-term memory assessed approximately 20-min later. Forgetting was calculated as the difference in short- and long-term memory performance.ResultsAcute exercise (vs. seated control) was not associated with an attenuated forgetting effect (d = 0.10; 95% CI: −0.04, 0.25, P = 0.17). We observed no evidence of a significant moderation effect (Q = 6.16, df = 17, P = 0.17, I2 = 0.00) for any of the evaluated parameters, including study design, exercise intensity and delay period.ConclusionAcross our 12 experimental studies, acute exercise was not associated with an attenuated forgetting effect. We discuss these implications for future research that evaluates the effects of acute exercise on long-term memory function.