Abstract
Introduction: Information processing, cognition, and executive functioning can be enhanced in various ways, one of which is through exercise. The present study investigated the impact of three intensities of aerobic exercise -- low intensity [LIE), moderate intensity [MIE], and higher intensity [HIE]) -- on information processing and executive functioning.
Method: Forty participants (19, male; 21, female) between the ages of 18-25 (mean = 20.75, SD = + 2.56) were randomly assigned to either a non-exercise-control (CON), LIE, MIE, or HIE groups. The exercise was performed on a bike ergometer. Participants took part in (1) single choice (SC), multichoice (MC), and dual-task (DT) conditions on a response time apparatus to ascertain the speed of information processing, and (2) the Trail Making Test (TMT) to ascertain executive functioning, before exercise and 1 min and 20 min postexercise. Information processing was analyzed by fractionating total response time (RPT) into reaction time (RT), and movement time (MT).
Results: TMT, RPT, RT, and MT data were analyzed using separate 4 (Group [CON, LIE, MIE, HIE]) x 3 (Test Trial Block [pre-exercise, 1 min postexercise, 20 min postexercise]) repeated measures ANOVA. Data analyses indicated that to varying extents participants in the three exercise groups significantly improved their RT and RPT during MC and DT tasks, but not during the SC task, and improved their TMT scores (ranging from p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) compared to CON group participants and that these improvements were observed both immediately (1 min) and short-term (20 min) post-exercise.
Conclusions: Based on the results of this investigation, exercise of varying intensities positively affected the speed of information processing during the more complex response time tasks (MC and DT) and positively impacted executive functioning. As RT, and not MT, was primarily affected by exercise and as RT represents more central nervous system (CNS) processing, the faciliatory effect of exercise on the speed of information processing involved more rapidity of cortical processing than rapidity of movement when completing the MC and DT response-time tasks.
Department
Kinesiology, Data Catalog
Publication Date
2024
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Document Type
Data Set
Recommended Citation
Curry, Caroline; Croce, Ronald V.; and Spicer, Greg, "Dataset for Varying intensities of Acute Aerobic Exercise Effects Immediate and Short-Term Cognitive Functioning" (2024). Faculty Publications. 2002.
https://scholars.unh.edu/faculty_pubs/2002