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Effectiveness of a Single Prolonged Aerobic Exercise Session on Executive Function Task Performance in Physically Active Adults (21–70 Years of Age)

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Listed:
  • Brandon A. Yates

    (Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
    Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA)

  • Lawrence E. Armstrong

    (Human Performance Laboratory, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA)

  • Elaine C. Lee

    (Human Performance Laboratory, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA)

  • Frederick W. Unverzagt

    (Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA)

  • Ekow Dadzie

    (Human Performance Laboratory, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA)

  • Virgilio Lopez

    (Human Performance Laboratory, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA)

  • Keith Williamson

    (Vinson Health Center, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX 76308, USA)

  • Jakob L. Vingren

    (Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
    Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA)

  • Ariela R. Orkaby

    (New England Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
    Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
    Division of Aging, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

Abstract

We sought to examine the effectiveness of an acute prolonged exercise session on post-exercise executive function in physically active adults and to assess if age or pre-exercise cognitive performance was predictive of the magnitude of change in executive task performance. Self-registered cyclists were recruited prior to participating in a 161-km mass-participation cycling event. Cyclists were excluded if they had not previously participated in a similar endurance event, were young (<18 y), or were cognitively impaired (Mini Cog TM < 3 units). Immediately after completing the exercise session, the time taken to complete Trail Making Test Part A and Part B (TMT A + B) was assessed. A faster time to complete the TMT A + B was observed after exercise (+8.5%; p = 0.0003; n = 62; age range = 21–70 y). The magnitude of change in TMT A + B performance (pre vs. post) was influenced by pre-exercise TMT A + B performance (r 2 = 0.23, p < 0.0001), not age (r 2 =0.002; p = 0.75). Prolonged exercise had a small-to-moderate effect on post-exercise compared to pre-exercise executive function task performance ( Cohen’s d = 0.38–0.49). These results support the effectiveness of a single prolonged exercise bout to augment executive function in physically active adults, irrespective of age.

Suggested Citation

  • Brandon A. Yates & Lawrence E. Armstrong & Elaine C. Lee & Frederick W. Unverzagt & Ekow Dadzie & Virgilio Lopez & Keith Williamson & Jakob L. Vingren & Ariela R. Orkaby, 2023. "Effectiveness of a Single Prolonged Aerobic Exercise Session on Executive Function Task Performance in Physically Active Adults (21–70 Years of Age)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-8, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:2802-:d:1058182
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sebastian Ludyga & Markus Gerber & Uwe Pühse & Vera N. Looser & Keita Kamijo, 2020. "Systematic review and meta-analysis investigating moderators of long-term effects of exercise on cognition in healthy individuals," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(6), pages 603-612, June.
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