The Effects of Acute Exercise on Cognitive Function: Solomon Experimental Design

Jaffery, Annese; Edwards, Meghan K.; Loprinzi, Paul D.

doi:10.1007/s10935-017-0498-z

Original Paper
Published: 05 January 2018

The Effects of Acute Exercise on Cognitive Function: Solomon Experimental Design

Annese Jaffery¹,
Meghan K. Edwards¹ &
Paul D. Loprinzi¹

The Journal of Primary Prevention volume 39, pages 37–46 (2018)Cite this article

1855 Accesses
15 Citations
18 Altmetric
Metrics details

Abstract

No study has yet evaluated the effects of an acute 5-min bout of exercise (walking) on cognitive function, which was the purpose of our study. We employed a Solomon-4 experimental design, in which 22 young adult participants were included in each group. Participants in two groups (1 and 3) walked on a treadmill for 5 min at a self-selected intensity. We assessed cognitive function by means of the Trail Making B test. We observed no difference in cognitive function between the two assessments for the control group (group 2: 42.8 vs. 40.6 s), but found a significant effect for adults in group 1 (56.3 vs. 35.7 s), whose cognitive function was markedly improved after the 5-min bout of walking. This within-group by between-group interaction (change due to the treatment) was statistically significant (− 20.4 vs. − 2.2 s). A 5-min bout of walking at a self-selected intensity is associated with improved cognitive function. Given our observed interaction effect of the pretest and treatment (walking) on cognitive function, we encourage researchers to investigate the potential additive or synergistic effects of mental training and acute exercise on cognition.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

Bandura, A. (1982). Self-efficacy mechanism in human agency. American Psychologist, 37(2), 122–147.
Article Google Scholar
Booth, M. L., Owen, N., Bauman, A., Clavisi, O., & Leslie, E. (2000). Social-cognitive and perceived environment influences associated with physical activity in older Australians. Preventive Medicine, 31(1), 15–22. https://doi.org/10.1006/pmed.2000.0661.
CAS Article PubMed Google Scholar
Chang, Y. K., Labban, J. D., Gapin, J. I., & Etnier, J. L. (2012). The effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance: A meta-analysis. Brain Research, 1453, 87–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2012.02.068.
CAS Article PubMed Google Scholar
Chapman, S. B., Aslan, S., Spence, J. S., Hart, J. J., Jr., Bartz, E. K., Didehbani, N., et al. (2015). Neural mechanisms of brain plasticity with complex cognitive training in healthy seniors. Cerebral Cortex, 25(2), 396–405. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bht234.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Colcombe, S., & Kramer, A. F. (2003). Fitness effects on the cognitive function of older adults: A meta-analytic study. Psychological Science, 14(2), 125–130. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.t01-1-01430.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Corrigan, J., & Hinkeldey, N. (1987). Relationships between parts A and B of the trail making test. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 43(4), 402–409.
CAS Article PubMed Google Scholar
Crush, E. A., & Loprinzi, P. D. (2017). Dose–response effects of exercise duration and recovery on cognitive functioning. Perceptual and Motor Skills. https://doi.org/10.1177/0031512517726920.
PubMed Google Scholar
Fabrigoule, C., Letenneur, L., Dartigues, J. F., Zarrouk, M., Commenges, D., & Barberger-Gateau, P. (1995). Social and leisure activities and risk of dementia: A prospective longitudinal study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 43(5), 485–490.
CAS Article PubMed Google Scholar
Frith, E., Sng, E., & Loprinzi, P. D. (2017). Randomized controlled trial evaluating the temporal effects of high-intensity exercise on learning, short-term and long-term memory, and prospective memory. European Journal of Neuroscience, 46, 2557–2564.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Gow, A. J., Bastin, M. E., Munoz Maniega, S., Valdes Hernandez, M. C., Morris, Z., Murray, C., et al. (2012). Neuroprotective lifestyles and the aging brain: Activity, atrophy, and white matter integrity. Neurology, 79(17), 1802–1808. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182703fd2.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Grubbs, L., & Carter, J. (2002). The relationship of perceived benefits and barriers to reported exercise behaviors in college undergraduates. Family and Community Health, 25(2), 76–84.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Harada, C. N., Natelson Love, M. C., & Triebel, K. L. (2013). Normal cognitive aging. Clinical Geriatric Medicine, 29(4), 737–752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cger.2013.07.002.
Article Google Scholar
Hogan, C. L., Mata, J., & Carstensen, L. L. (2013). Exercise holds immediate benefits for affect and cognition in younger and older adults. Psychology and Aging, 28(2), 587–594. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032634.
Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
Jekauc, D. (2015). Enjoyment during exercise mediates the effects of an intervention on exercise adherence. Psychology, 6, 48–54.
Article Google Scholar
Jekauc, D., Volkle, M., Wagner, M. O., Mess, F., Reiner, M., & Renner, B. (2015). Prediction of attendance at fitness center: A comparison between the theory of planned behavior, the social cognitive theory, and the physical activity maintenance theory. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 121. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00121.
Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
Lambourne, K., & Tomporowski, P. (2010). The effect of exercise-induced arousal on cognitive task performance: A meta-regression analysis. Brain Research, 1341, 12–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2010.03.091.
CAS Article PubMed Google Scholar
Loprinzi, P. D., & Edwards, M. K. (2017). Exercise and implicit memory: A brief systematic review. Psychological Reports. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294117745563.
Google Scholar
Loprinzi, P. D., Edwards, M. K., & Frith, E. (2017a). Potential avenues for exercise to activate episodic memory-related pathways: A narrative review. European Journal of Neuroscience, 46, 2067–2077. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.13644.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Loprinzi, P. D., Frith, E., Edwards, M. K., Sng, E., & Ashpole, N. (2017b). The effects of exercise on memory function among young- to middle-age adults: Systematic review and recommendations for future research. American Journal of Health Promotion. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117117737409.
Google Scholar
Loprinzi, P. D., Herod, S. M., Cardinal, B. J., & Noakes, T. D. (2013). Physical activity and the brain: A review of this dynamic, bi-directional relationship. Brain Research, 1539, 95–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2013.10.004.
CAS Article PubMed Google Scholar
Loprinzi, P. D., & Kane, C. J. (2015). Exercise and cognitive function: A randomized controlled trial examining acute exercise and free-living physical activity and sedentary effects. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 90(4), 450–460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.12.023.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
McMorris, T., Turner, A., Hale, B. J., & Sproule, J. (2016). Beyond the catecholamines hypothesis for an acute exercise-cognition interaction: A neurochemical perspective. In T. McMorris (Ed.), exercise-cognition interaction (pp. 65–104). New York, NY: Elsevier Academic Press.
Chapter Google Scholar
Rejeski, W. J., & Mihalko, S. L. (2001). Physical activity and quality of life in older adults. Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 56(Suppl 2), 23–35.
Article Google Scholar
Rhodes, R. E., Martin, A. D., Taunton, J. E., Rhodes, E. C., Donnelly, M., & Elliot, J. (1999). Factors associated with exercise adherence among older adults: An individual perspective. Sports Medicine, 28(6), 397–411.
CAS Article PubMed Google Scholar
Salthouse, T. A. (2009). When does age-related cognitive decline begin? Neurobiology of Aging, 30(4), 507–514.
Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
Salthouse, T. A. (2011). What cognitive abilities are involved in trail-making performance? Intelligence, 39(4), 222–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2011.03.001.
Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
Salthouse, T. (2012). Consequences of age-related cognitive declines. Annual Review of Psychology, 63, 201–226. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-120710-100328.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Sanchez-Cubillo, I., Perianez, J. A., Adrover-Roig, D., Rodriguez-Sanchez, J. M., Rios-Lago, M., Tirapu, J., et al. (2009). Construct validity of the Trail Making test: Role of task-switching, working memory, inhibition/interference control, and visuomotor abilities. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 15(3), 438–450. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355617709090626.
CAS Article PubMed Google Scholar
Sng, E., Frith, E., & Loprinzi, P. D. (2017). Temporal effects of acute walking exercise on learning and memory function. American Journal of Health Promotion. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117117749476.
Google Scholar
Snigdha, S., de Rivera, C., Milgram, N. W., & Cotman, C. W. (2014). Exercise enhances memory consolidation in the aging brain. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 6, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2014.00003.
Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
Troiano, R. P., Berrigan, D., Dodd, K. W., Masse, L. C., Tilert, T., & McDowell, M. (2008). Physical activity in the United States measured by accelerometer. Medince and Science in Sports and Exercise, 40(1), 181–188. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e31815a51b3.
Article Google Scholar
Warburton, D. E., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: The evidence. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 174(6), 801–809. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.051351.
Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was approved by the author’s Institutional Review Board and all participants provided consent prior to participation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory, Exercise Psychology Laboratory, School of Applied Sciences, Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, 229 Turner Center, University, MS, 38677, USA
Annese Jaffery, Meghan K. Edwards & Paul D. Loprinzi

Authors

Annese Jaffery
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Meghan K. Edwards
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Paul D. Loprinzi
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul D. Loprinzi.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jaffery, A., Edwards, M.K. & Loprinzi, P.D. The Effects of Acute Exercise on Cognitive Function: Solomon Experimental Design. J Primary Prevent 39, 37–46 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-017-0498-z

Download citation

Published: 05 January 2018
Issue Date: February 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-017-0498-z

Keywords

Cognition
Executive function
Exercise
Walking