Short‐term effects of aerobic exercise on executive processing, memory, and emotional reactivity

Abstract

The effects of 40 minutes of submaximal aerobic exercise on young adults’ executive processing and short‐term memory were evaluated. Twelve men and 10 women performed a Task‐Switching executive processing test (TS) and a Brown‐Peterson memory test (BP) prior to and following cycling exercise or rest. Performance on the TS test improved following both exercise and a rest period; performance on the BP test did not change. Emotional reactivity to the mental demands of the two cognitive tests was assessed via the NASA‐Task Load Index. The BP memory test was judged to be more demanding than the TS test; further, emotional reactivity to the BP memory test declined following both exercise and rest. The BP and TS tests were perceived as less frustrating following exercise, but not after rest. Women's ratings of perceived level of performance during both cognitive tests were lower than men's ratings. The facilitative effects of exercise on cognition appear to be domain specific and to enhance processing efficiency but not memory processes. Further, both physical activity and periods of rest may alter core affect, which influences performance on tests that emphasize attention and rapid information processing

Key Words:

• exercise
• executive processing
• short‐term memory
• workload