Exploring the influence of exercise timing relative to exposure to a memory task on long-term recall
Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: Physical activity is beneficial to cognitive function, including memory which is an essential function we use in our daily life. Roig, Nordbrandt, Geertsen, and Nielsen (2013) meta-analysis provides evidence that a single bout of exercise has positive effects on short-term/working and long-term memory. Additionally, the majority of studies showed that compared to a no-treatment control condition, improved memory task performance was reported when an acute bout of exercise occurred prior to memory tasks. However, only two studies have specifically investigated the influence of exercise timing relative to exposure to the memory task on memory performance (Labban & Etnier, 2011; Salas, Minakata, & Kelemen, 2011). In order to expand the literature, the current study examined the effects of the timing of exercise relative to a memory task on long-term recall performance by assigning participants into one of four experimental conditions: 1) exercise before memory exposure, 2) exercise after memory exposure, 3) exercise before long-term recall, and 4) no-exercise control condition. Eight-three participants completed the study. Results showed that no differences among treatment groups reached statistical significance on all memory measures. These findings indicated that a single, short bout of exercise at different points relative to memory exposure neither benefit nor hinder memory task performance. Future research exploring how exercise intensity and duration interact to influence memory performance is needed.
Author: Chia-Hao Shih
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2972392197