Exploring the Relationship Between Exercise-Induced Arousal and Cognition Using Fractionated Response Time

Abstract

Although a generally positive effect of acute exercise on cognitive performance has been demonstrated, the specific nature of the relationship between exercise-induced arousal and cognitive performance remains unclear This study was designed to identify the relationship between exercise-induced arousal and cognitive performance for the central and peripheral components of a response time task at two different levels of task difficulty. Sixteen male participants performed both simple and choice response time tasks at eight different arousal levels (from 20% to 90% heart rate reserve). Performance on the simple and choice response time tasks was examined after fractionating the response time into its central component, premotor time, and peripheral components, motor, and movement time. A priori trend analysis was used to test both linear and quadratic relationships. Results indicated that exercise-induced arousal has a positive influence on the peripheral components of response time tasks; however it has a limited impact on the central components of these tasks.

Parallel changes in the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) and threshold of psychomotor performance deterioration during incremental exercise after training in athletes

“…The investigation of Audriffren et al (2008) indicated that arousal affects activation and results in the increase in speed of the response by energizing motor outputs as assessed by EMG. The recent study of Chang et al (2009) confirmed this conclusion. However, some effect of arousal during the pre-motor period representing all stages of information processing before muscle activation cannot be excluded.…”

The effects of a resistance vs. an aerobic single session on attention and executive functioning in adults

“…Aerobic exercise was shown to increase heart rate levels and, as a consequence, to increase arousal levels [27] and activation of a specific cortical area [28,29]. These changes were suggested to be a mechanism that mediates the relationship between acute aerobic exercise and cognition [27].…”

“…These changes were suggested to be a mechanism that mediates the relationship between acute aerobic exercise and cognition [27]. As resistance exercise was shown to increase heart rate levels [27] as well as the concentration of several hormones [30] that were correlated with cognitive improvements [31], it is reasonable to compare the effect of acute aerobic exercise versus resistance exercise on cognitive functions [14,32]. Pontifex and Hillman [14] compared the effect of acute aerobic exercise versus resistance exercise on cognitive performance among young adults.…”

Dose–Response Relation between Exercise Duration and Cognition

“…However, much of this research has examined the influence on cognitive performance, as assessed during exercise rather than after exercise. Some of the studies exploring the effects during exercise demonstrate a linear dose-response trend, such that increased exercise intensity is directly related to improved cognitive performance (8,15,31). Other researchers have reported a curvilinear trend, also described as an inverted U relation, indicating that moderate exercise intensity results in the best cognitive performance as compared with low and vigorous exercise intensities (2,12).…”