Research Article

Effect of Acute Vigorous Intensity Physical Activity on Cognitive Control in College-Aged Students

Published: 2019-10-2

Journal: International Journal of Kinesiology in Higher Education

DOI: 10.1080/24711616.2019.1633708

Abstract

ABSTRACTTo determine the effect of physical activity (PA) on three differing types of cognitive processes, within an under-researched segment of the population, 77 college-aged students were recruited from a university in the southwestern United States. These participants completed three computer-driven tests from a battery of measurements that assess various components of cognitive control (CC)—One Card Learning Test (attention), Two Back Card Test (working memory), and Revised Groton Learning Maze Test (inhibition/ executive function). Testing took place after a bout of sedentary activity, and two weeks later, after a bout of individualized PA (based on VO2 max).Due to the high intellect/high fit nature of the participants, there was no statistical significance with the One Card learning or Two Card Back Tests (i.e., many reached the test ‘ceiling’ on the initial attempt). After controlling for sex, age, BMI, estimated aerobic capacity, and GPA, there were significant differences between sedentary and physical activity conditions in both moves-per-second (adjusted b-coefficient = 0.132, p < 0.001) and duration (adjusted b-coefficient = −22,653 ms, p < 0.001) within the Revised Groton Maze Learning Test. The differences between conditions represented a medium-to-large effect. There were no moderating influences on the condition differences.This study adds to the existent literature that suggests PA may facilitate increases in CC, dependent on the nature of the cognitive task.KEYWORDS: Exercisekinesiologyinhibitionworking memoryDisclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Faculty Members

  • Quinn Dilworth - Dixie State Athletics, Dixie State University, Saint George, Utah
  • Jeffery Hart - Education, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington
  • Bradley Gregory - Psychology, Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota
  • Patrick Arville - Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah
  • David Phillips - Secondary and Physical Education, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland
  • Ryan D. Burns - Kinesiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah

Themes

  • Individualized physical activity interventions
  • Influence of exercise on cognitive performance
  • Comparison of cognitive tasks
  • Physical activity and cognitive processes
  • Cognitive control enhancement

Categories

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