ERIC Number: EJ1181579
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0270-1367
EISSN: N/A
Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Performance among Young Adults in a Higher Education Setting
Ludyga, Sebastian; Gerber, Markus; Brand, Serge; Pühse, Uwe; Colledge, Flora
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, v89 n2 p164-172 2018
Purpose: Acute benefits of aerobic exercise on executive functioning have been reported frequently under laboratory conditions. However, to date, a beneficial effect on long-term memory has been less well supported and no data are available regarding nonlaboratory conditions in young adults. The aim of the current study was to investigate acute effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive functioning in a university classroom setting. Method: Using a cross-over design, 51 participants performed a bout of moderately intense running (RUN) and read an article while seated (CON). Afterwards, they completed free-recall tests, followed by a Flanker task and an n-back task. Results: Participants in the RUN condition compared with those in the CON condition showed shorter reaction time on the inhibition task, F(1, 50) = 5.59, p = 0.022, ?[superscript 2] = 0.101, and recalled more words in the immediate- and delayed-recall tests, F(1, 50) = 8.40, p = 0.006, ?[superscript 2] = 0.144. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that a moderately intense bout of aerobic exercise benefits verbal short-term and long-term memory as well as inhibitory control among students in a classroom setting.
Descriptors: Exercise, Executive Function, Cognitive Processes, Long Term Memory, College Students, Recall (Psychology), Reaction Time, Exercise Physiology, Inhibition, Short Term Memory, Verbal Communication, Foreign Countries, Measurement Equipment, Reading, Visual Stimuli, Word Lists, Metabolism, Statistical Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Switzerland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A