Impact of acute complex exercise on inhibitory control and brain activation: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

Abstract

A growing body of literature demonstrates that a single bout of exercise benefits executive function. While the acute effect of simple exercises like walking, running, and cycling has been well investigated, it is less clear how complex exercise, which requires open skills and various motions, impacts executive function and brain activation. Therefore, we compared the acute effects of a complex exercise on inhibitory control and brain activation with those of a simple exercise using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Twenty-four young right-hand dominant adults (9 women) completed three interventions: badminton, running, and a seated rest control condition for 10 min each. During each intervention, oxygen uptake and heart rate were monitored. A Stroop task composed of neutral and incongruent conditions was administrated before and after each intervention. An fNIRS system recorded hemodynamics in the prefrontal cortex to evaluate brain activation during the Stroop task. The intensities of badminton and running were comparable. Performance on the Stroop task was significantly improved after badminton, specifically in the incongruent condition relative to in the neutral condition. On the other hand, neither running nor seated rest affected performance in the Stroop task. The fNIRS measures indicated that badminton and running had no significant influence on brain activation. These results show that a single bout of complex exercise enhances inhibitory control without increasing brain activation compared to simple exercise, suggesting that an acute complex exercise induces neural efficiency.

Benefits of Badminton for Preventing Cognitive Decline and Dementia

“…This fast-paced and unpredictable sport requires visual focus, sustained attention, rapid decision-making, working memory to track and forecast opponent(s) motions, and quick high intensity reaction to the constantly changing trajectory [4,12]. Thus, badminton is classified as an OSE [12,28,29]. Singles players train strategies focused on movement in the court and quick return to the center after each shot.…”

“…Based on a study performing the Stroop task test in young adults, acute OSE (a single bout of badminton match) can intervene in inhibitory function more effectively than CSE (running) [36]. Furthermore, based on a fNIRS study in young adults, OSE induces neural efficacy of the prefrontal cortex because a single bout of badminton match reinforces inhibitory control without increased hemodynamics in the prefrontal cortex [29]. Moreover, acute exercise (30 min badminton) showed higher serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and executive function compared with running exercise in young men [37].…”