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van der Weyden MS, Martin J, Rodriguez J, Boolani A. An Intense Bout of Acute Aerobic Exercise, but Not a Carbohydrate Supplement, Improves Cognitive Task Performance in a Sample of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Student Athletes. Sports (Basel) 2023; 11:sports11040088. [PMID: 37104162 PMCID: PMC10146807 DOI: 10.3390/sports11040088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are contradictory findings in the literature on whether an acute bout of aerobic exercise leads to a post-exercise improvement in cognitive function (CF). Moreover, participants used in the published literature are not representative of the racial make-up of sport or tactical populations. METHODS A randomized crossover design was incorporated, with participants randomly consuming water or a carbohydrate sports drink within the first 3 min of a graded maximal exercise test (GMET) conducted in a laboratory. Twelve self-identified African American participants, (seven males, five females, age = 21.42 ± 2.38 years, height = 174.94 ± 12.55 cm, mass = 82.45 ± 33.09 kg) completed both testing days. Participants completed the CF tests immediately pre- and post-GMET. CF was assessed with the Stroop color and word task (SCWT) and concentration task grid (CTG). Participants completed the GMET when they reported a score of 20 on the Borg ratings of perceived exertion scale. RESULTS Time to complete the SCWT incongruent task (p < 0.001) and CTG performance (p < 0.001) significantly improved post-GMET in both conditions. VO2max was positively correlated with pre- and post-GMET SCWT performance. CONCLUSIONS The findings of our study suggest that an acute bout of maximal exercise significantly improves CF. Additionally, cardiorespiratory fitness is positively associated with CF in our sample of student athletes from a historically Black college and university.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Sax van der Weyden
- Sports Medicine Assessment Research & Testing (SMART) Laboratory, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Joel Martin
- Sports Medicine Assessment Research & Testing (SMART) Laboratory, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Jose Rodriguez
- Department of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Ali Boolani
- Honors Program, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA
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Sudo M, Costello JT, McMorris T, Ando S. The effects of acute high-intensity aerobic exercise on cognitive performance: A structured narrative review. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:957677. [PMID: 36212191 PMCID: PMC9538359 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.957677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that acute moderate-intensity exercise improves cognitive performance. However, the effects of acute high-intensity aerobic exercise on cognitive performance have not been well characterized. In this review, we summarize the literature investigating the exercise-cognition interaction, especially focusing on high-intensity aerobic exercise. We discuss methodological and physiological factors that potentially mediate cognitive performance in response to high-intensity exercise. We propose that the effects of high-intensity exercise on cognitive performance are primarily affected by the timing of cognitive task (during vs. after exercise, and the time delay after exercise). In particular, cognitive performance is more likely to be impaired during high-intensity exercise when both cognitive and physiological demands are high and completed simultaneously (i.e., the dual-task paradigm). The effects may also be affected by the type of cognitive task, physical fitness, exercise mode/duration, and age. Second, we suggest that interactions between changes in regional cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral oxygenation, cerebral metabolism, neuromodulation by neurotransmitters/neurotrophic factors, and a variety of psychological factors are promising candidates that determine cognitive performance in response to acute high-intensity exercise. The present review has implications for recreational, sporting, and occupational activities where high cognitive and physiological demands are required to be completed concurrently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuki Sudo
- Physical Fitness Research Institute, Meiji Yasuda Life Foundation of Health and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Mizuki Sudo,
| | - Joseph T. Costello
- Extreme Environments Laboratory, School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| | - Terry McMorris
- Extreme Environments Laboratory, School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
- Institute of Sport, University of Chichester, Chichester, United Kingdom
| | - Soichi Ando
- Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, Chofu, Japan
- Soichi Ando,
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Zheng K, Deng Z, Qian J, Chen Y, Li S, Huang T. Changes in working memory performance and cortical activity during acute aerobic exercise in young adults. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:884490. [PMID: 35983476 PMCID: PMC9379142 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.884490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the concurrent performance of working memory and cortical activity during acute aerobic exercise in young adults. In a crossover study design, 27 young adults (mean age = 22.7 ± 3.4 years, 15 women) participated in two experimental conditions in a randomized order: (1) sitting condition (without exercise) and (2) cycling condition (moderate-intensity exercise). Working memory was measured with a modified version of the n-back task. A functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure cortex activation. In the cycling condition, response time (RT) for the n-back task was significantly faster (p < 0.05). No differences in accuracy were observed between the sitting and cycling conditions. The fNIRS results showed that the oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations in the bilateral frontopolar area (p < 0.05), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (p < 0.05), and right premotor and supplementary cortex (p < 0.05) were decreased while cycling. The findings indicated that the concurrent performance of working memory was improved during acute aerobic exercise, whereas cortical activity was decreased in some brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kefeng Zheng
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhangyan Deng
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- School of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiali Qian
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- School of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanxia Chen
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- School of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyuan Li
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Tao Huang
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Jamro D, Zurek G, Dulnik M, Lachowicz M, Lenart D. Executive Function Level in Cadets’ Shooting Performance. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19106007. [PMID: 35627544 PMCID: PMC9140879 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Executive functions (EF) are crucial to a person’s unique abilities, enabling one to achieve goals, adapt to new situations and manage social interactions. EF are also very important for the effective performance of military tasks including the shooting performance (SP) of soldiers. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of EF with SP and gender differences in the level of these traits among cadets of the General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces in Wroclaw i.e., 156 persons (19 females and 137 males). The level of EF and processes related to attention was measured with usage of the Color Trails Test (CTT-1 and CTT-2). SP was assessed on the basis of scores from four different small arms and rifle shootings at a fixed target and at emerging targets. The relations between explained and explanatory variables were assessed using Spearman correlation. The variation in the mean values of CTT scores and SP of men and women was compared using the Mann–Whitney U test for independent samples. The results of the present study did not reveal any significant differences between women and men in the level of EF and SP. The key finding of the present study is that the higher SP of males in all shooting events of the study and of females in pistol shooting were significantly correlated with higher executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Jamro
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces, 51-147 Wroclaw, Poland; (D.J.); (D.L.)
| | - Grzegorz Zurek
- Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.D.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Malgorzata Dulnik
- Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Maciej Lachowicz
- Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.D.); (M.L.)
| | - Dariusz Lenart
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military University of Land Forces, 51-147 Wroclaw, Poland; (D.J.); (D.L.)
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Zheng K, Zou L, Wei G, Huang T. Concurrent Performance of Executive Function during Acute Bouts of Exercise in Adults: A Systematic Review. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1364. [PMID: 34679428 PMCID: PMC8533767 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11101364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to systematically review the evidence on the effects of an acute bout of exercise on concurrent performance of core executive function (EF) during exercise in adults. Four electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and SportDiscus) were searched from inception dates to 30 December 2020. The literature searches were conducted using the combinations of two groups of relevant items related to exercise and executive function. Articles were limited to human studies in adults. The search process, study selection, data extraction, and study quality assessments were carried out independently by two researchers. A total of 4899 studies were identified. Twenty-two studies met our inclusion criteria. Of the 42 reported outcomes in the 22 studies, 13 (31%) of the 42 outcomes showed that core EF performance was enhanced during exercise and 14 (33%) found that core EF performance did not differ from control conditions. Fifteen (36%) found that core EF performance was impaired. Notably, improved EF performances tend to be observed during moderate-intensity exercise, whereas impaired EF performances were more likely to be observed at vigorous-high intensity. The review suggests mixed findings regarding the effects of an acute bout of exercise on concurrent performance of core EF. Exercise intensity seems to influence the effects. The underlying neural mechanisms remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kefeng Zheng
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China;
| | - Liye Zou
- Exercise Psychophysiology Laboratory, Institute of KEEP Collaborative Innovation, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China;
| | - Gaoxia Wei
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100864, China;
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China;
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