Acute Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Performance
This study examined the effects of acute resistance and aerobic exercise on working memory. The participants were 18-24 year old healthy males and females. Working memory was measured via a modified Sternberg task, which manipulated working memory capacity, and examined task performance measures of reaction time and response accuracy. During the baseline (non-exercise) session the subjects' aerobic capacity (VO2max) and 1-repetition maximum (1RM) on seven strength exercises was assessed. The following two sessions were counterbalanced between aerobic and resistance exercise. The subjects performed the Sternberg task prior to, immediately post and 30-min post each 30-minute exercise session. The expected results are that acute aerobic exercise is positively associated with task performance related to working memory capacity. Further, an acute bout of resistance exercise is expected to be negatively associated with working memory. These findings will provide much needed evidence on the relationship between exercise mode and changes in cognitive function.
School:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department:
Kinesiology
Research Advisor:
Charles H. Hillman
Department of Research Advisor:
Kinesiology
Year of Publication:
2006