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

Brandon A. Yates (), Lawrence E. Armstrong, Elaine C. Lee, Frederick W. Unverzagt, Ekow Dadzie, Virgilio Lopez, Keith Williamson, Jakob L. Vingren and Ariela R. Orkaby
Additional contact information
Brandon A. Yates: Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal, 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
Ariela R. Orkaby: New England Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-8

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.

Keywords: cognition; physical activity; brain health; aging (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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