Experimental Effects of Acute Exercise on Cognitive-Based Short-Term Memory Improvement: A Meta-analysis of Repeated Measures Studies

Abstract

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of acute exercise on short-term memory improvement. The computerized literature searches using electronic databases and examinations of reference lists from relevant studies yielded six studies meeting our inclusionary criteria. In a total of six studies, 16 standardized regression coefficient effect sizes (ESs) were calculated to be meta-analyzed. The meta-analyses showed a statistically significant increase in short-term memory improvement across both the exercise and non-exercise control groups in trials 1-5 [ES = 0.96, 95% CI (0.95, 0.97), P < 0.001]. However, there was no significant subgroup difference between exercise and control groups (Q b = 0.40, df = 1, P = 0.53). Our meta-analytic review provides suggestive evidence that an acute bout of exercise prior to learning does not result in short-term memory improvement to a greater extent than a non-exercise control. Additional research is needed to further evaluate whether acute exercise enhances long-term memory via enhanced learning and/or post-learning mechanisms.